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| | True cross country fans know our sport is more of a team event than most outsiders realize, yet there are plenty of individual standouts as well. So, while honoring the tradition we have started at DyeStat with Interval Sessions, which introduced you to the top individuals in both track and XC, we launch Fall 2009 with "Star Squad Spotlight," giving you a chance to get to know not just the top individual runners in the country, but also the best teams.
| | | star | heidi turner
10.29.09
by Dave Devine, DyeStat Senior Editor
 Ask anyone who's attempted to replicate or repeat a major athletic accomplishment-- second acts can be a tough thing to pull off. But what about third acts? For Bozeman MT junior Heidi Turner, twice a Montana AA state cross country champ in 2007 and 2008, the third attempt may have been the most difficult yet. Battling a torn muscle below her ribcage all season, she also fought off a state-meet-week sinus infection to claim her third straight title and lead her NW#8 Bozeman Hawk teammates to an equally impressive three-peat on the podium. The accomplishment leaves her in position to join a highly selective sorority from the Treasure State; only three girls across all classifications have won four state XC titles: Kathy Jarvis, Ruby Yellowtail and four-time Foot Locker finalist and 2002 winner Zoe Nelson.
On the track last spring, Turner was fourth in the 2009 MT State AA 1600 final, third in the 3200, and a state champ in the 4x400, but thus far it's over hill and dale where she's really stood out in Big Sky country.
DyeStat senior editor Dave Devine catches up with the newly-minted state champ as she finally gets to rest her banged up body.
 1) Congratulations on your third-straight Montana state XC title. It sounds like this one might have been the hardest so far. Can you discuss the injury you've struggled with this season, the illness you fought in the week leading up to the state meet, and how you managed to overcome those things in the AA championship race?
Thank you! Since the beginning of my season I have been dealing with a torn muscle injury underneath my rib cage, and during races it makes it difficult to breathe and it's very painful! I passed out in two of my races this season, a little over a mile into the races, because my diaphragm would spasm. All my workouts were never modified, I just had to deal with the pain. Leading up to the week of state I got sick like everyone else, which made me nervous because each day it felt like I wasn't feeling any better. In the race, I just did what I could: stay positive and stay tough!
2) With your victory you became the first girl since Flathead's Zoe Nelson to win three individual AA titles in a row. Nelson, as a Foot Locker champion (four-time qualifier) and athlete on the powerful University of Oregon squad, is certainly a well-known runner in prep cross country circles. How does it feel to have your name mentioned in the same breath as someone like her? With a year left in your high school career, you have a chance to join only Nelson, Kathy Jarvis and Ruby Yellowtail as Montana 4-time girls' winners. Do you let yourself think about that possibility sometimes?
It feels amazing! Since my freshman year I have heard about Zoe Nelson and what a stud she is! I never would have imagined myself being compared to her. She is definitely an incredible athlete; it's a cool feeling to know that people see that I have potential and would mention my name next to hers. I can only dream about getting a fourth state title along with Zoe, Kathy and Ruby. Getting it again this year was almost a surprise for me, I am excited to work hard and go for it again next year.
3) We've been focusing on your individual accomplishments, but your Bozeman team is regionally ranked again and you just led them to their 3rd-straight state title-- how did that feel? Even better, your team's score of 30 points broke the class record for team score, with the old record of 31 points set by Flathead in 2001 (Zoe Nelson connection again). Was it exciting for your team when you learned you'd set the record? Did you think it was a possibility heading into the meet?
The girls on my team worked very hard this season, everybody did. We were a little tense at the starting line, we all wanted to go hard and do well, but anything can happen in a race. In the finish area for the top fifteen individuals, when I was able to slow my breathing and relax, I looked up and saw four of my teammates there with me! We knew that we had a good day, but to set the class record was a big surprise to us and on top of that a three-peat state title! I still get excited thinking about it.
4) Sounds like your team came up with a way to stand out from the competition besides the race course. What's the story behind the bright red lipstick and the "Kiss the competiton Goodbye" t-shirts at the state meet? Does your team do a lot of things like that for team bonding? Can you talk a bit about the spirit of the Bozeman squad and the friendships you've formed there?
This year, like every year, we wanted to make a statement. Our team got to thinking and somehow the idea of bright red lipstick came about; it was so funny and crazy we couldn't resist! So before our very first race of the season (Billings Invitational), we all ran into the bushes and put it on before our warm up. All the other coaches from other teams stared at us, some even laughed! Around halfway through the season, the quote "kiss the competition goodbye" came up in conversation-- it was perfect! We all are energetic and passionate about running, so we all just clicked together naturally. We are such good friends, we always have a great time together, but we still know how to get serious when we get into "race mode."
 5) The success of your team this year, coupled with your own individual achievements, has to have you thinking about post-season competitions beyond the state meet. Is your team-- or are you individually-- looking to race in events like the NXN Northwest Regional or Foot Locker West? Or are you at a point with your injury where it's time to shut it down for the season and get ready for track?
My team will be going this year to NXN NW Regionals, however I am calling it good for this season. After my race at state I just knew my body was tired and done hurting. I wish I could keep racing for a little longer, I am very competitive, but it's time for me to rest and let myself heal so I can prepare for track. I have some big goals for track, and I need to do what is best for me at this point to be ready when spring comes.
6) Bozeman has been on a roll for a number of years under coach Clint May. What do you think he's done which has made your team so successful? Can you describe specific approaches or workouts which have been key to either the development of the team or your own improvement as a runner?
Coach May has been incredible since I started my freshman year. He is passionate, caring, and he loves all of his athletes. He and our other four assistant coaches make coming to practice fun every day, while still keeping us focused at the same time. He has helped me develop a lot as a runner, mainly by getting my confidence up when it came to racing. Plus, he always has great running stories!
7) How did you first become involved in distance running? Was it something you jumped into once you hit high school, or were you involved in age group running or middle school competition before reaching Bozeman High? Were there other sports in which you were involved or committed to before you found your way into track and cross country?
When I was going into sixth grade my brother, Hans (who was in eighth), was going to run cross country with the local middle school team. My family was new to Bozeman, and his friends told him it would be fun. On the girls side they needed one more girl to have a full team so he asked me if I would give it a shot. I always used to race the boys on the playground at school, so I figured it could be fun. Prior to that, I had been involved in soccer and horseback riding. Running would be something completely different. I didn't quite fit in at the first practice; I was quiet and very shy, and I almost wanted to quit. However, it was a time trial and and by the end I had beaten not only all the girls but the boys as well - Coach Skelton nicknamed me the "stud-muffin"! When the first meet came around, I took off at the gun and placed in the top three, which was a big shock! From that moment on I knew I wanted to keep racing.
8) I know winters can be tough in Montana, but how are things in Bozeman specifically? Do you keep running through the winter after cross country has ended? If so, are you putting in miles outside, or do you use a treadmill or other inside options for training? Are you involved in other sports during the winter months? What are some other things you like to do once cross country season has ended?
The weather in Montana is pretty crazy year round, and winters in Bozeman are cold with a lot of snow and wind. During the winter, a group of us get together after school and load on the layers and head outside for runs. Since I started high school I have been involved in cheerleading. It is something completely different but I really enjoy it! I get to stay in great shape too-- our workouts aren't exactly easy! I also work a part time job and am a peer coach for the Special Olympics Track & Field athletes in my community.
Photos (from top) - Headshot - Matt Long; All other photos - Patty Turner | |
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