Buck's success not defined by nationals berth

By Parker West for DyeStat

"Finishing in 10th place, with the final qualifying spot to the 2013 Foot Locker Cross Country National Championships is... Alex Buck?"

If you follow the high school running scene in Indiana, you've probably heard the name,
Alex Buck. Last year as a sophomore at Pendleton Heights, she stayed pretty low-key until a second place finish at the New Haven semi-state, and then finished in 19th place at the state finals. A top 20 finish wasn't enough to catch the attention of too many spectators. So, Alex entered the Foot Locker Midwest Regional.

"I didn't expect to qualify at all," Buck explained. "I was hoping that if I had a great race I might be able to place in the top 25."

Buck, indeed, had a great race. She finished 10th, with a huge personal best of 18:04. She was also one of three girls from Indiana to advance to San Diego.

"Going on to grab the final qualifying spot was mind blowing. It was incredible and probably the happiest day of my life. I didn't even care where I finished in San Diego. I was just thrilled to be there!" Buck said.

The following spring, Buck posted a time of 11:07 in the 3200. She had cruised to a relatively easy win at sectionals, and she looked to be one of the top five favorites for the state finals. All of that had changed, however, during her next race.

"I was running the 3200 and the pain had been increasing with every lap. I was just about to start my final lap when I felt a painful crack down near my ankle," Buck said. "I wanted to stop, but then I thought of all the hard work I had done that season and all of the people who believed in me. After a quick prayer, I somehow managed to finish."

Buck had a fractured fibula, and the injury put her on crutches and ended her season.

"It was challenging at first. I didn't want to accept the fact that my season was over and that I wouldn't be able to participate in cross country summer conditioning. However, I believed that it was all part of God's bigger plan. That was, and still is, my source of hope. With lots of faith, prayer, and patience I slowly began coming back."

Buck viewed the summer as a learning experience. She did a lot of cross training and physical therapy. She even met with a dietitian to make sure she was getting proper nutrition.

She wanted to do everything possible to try and prevent future injury.

Slowly but surely, Buck bounced back. She began running races in the middle of the season and it wasn't long until she was back in all-state shape. Nobody was really sure what she would do in Terre Haute, however. Many forecasted her to be somewhere in the top 15. When she finished in eighth, Buck was ecstatic. She was all smiles after the race, and it was only sweeter to later learn that her team had also finished eighth.

November was a terrific month for Buck. Her time at state was 18:16. At the time, it was her second fastest 5k ever. Two weeks after state, Alex and her team ran at the Nike Cross Midwest Regional. She was the top finisher from Indiana, finishing eighth, and missed qualifying to the National Championship in Portland, Ore. by two spots. (She was three spots from the top-five but the Palatine IL girls received an at-large bid, leaving Buck two away). Not only did she place well, she also crushed her previous personal best with an impressive 17:54. That was the fourth fastest time run by an Indiana girl this season.

"That's been a goal ever since last Cross Country season. It felt so great, crossing the finish line with a 17 on the clock," she said.

Fast forward two more weeks, and Buck was back at Foot Locker Midwest with hopes of qualifying for nationals again. This time she was a little short, coming in at 13th in 18:07, three spots from qualifying to nationals.

Buck may have narrowly missed on two attempts to make one of the national meets, but at the end of the season she was counting her blessings. Instead of another trip to San Diego, her season was defined by the way she came back from a broken leg and inspired those around her.

"Honestly, I'm really pleased with only being three spots away from both," she said. "I knew ahead of time that finishing in the top 10 (at Foot Locker Midwest) would be difficult. I'm a little disappointed that I didn't qualify, but I trusted that by the time Foot Locker came around, God would have me right where he wanted me."

Not only is Buck a great runner, but every person who knows her will tell you about how much better of a person she is. For a little bit of a better understanding of her character off the course, hear what her teammates have to say about her:

"Most of our teammates judge others on the team jokingly, but Alex never judges ANYONE. She encourages me to be a better person. Not only does she want to do well, but she wants to drag us along with her success as well. She could easily go to state without a team, but she is so happy she gets to. She is always excited about hard workouts. Sometimes I don't understand how she can have such a positive mind, but she does. Her focus is unbelievable." – Emma Hall

"She's one of the coolest gals I know because even after a rough race, she still puts the team before herself and wants everyone to do their best. She's an amazing runner, but she is an even better teammate." – Riley Wolfgang

"Basically Alex keeps the team going. Sure, everyone does their part, but there is just something about Alex that ties us together." – Kama Clevenger

"Alex is an amazing person. She makes everyone feel like a star, and she is always pushing herself and others to do their best. It's simply inspiring." – Cassidy Benbow

"Alex promotes that our team is a family, everybody loves her. She was my bus buddy on the way to camp and she did a really good job making me feel like I was a part of the team, and teaching me about the team traditions." – Grace Baer

"It's nice to be part of a team where everyone encourages each other and pushes each other to reach individual and team goals. Alex is a part of it and what I admire most is she celebrates her teammates' successes as much as her own. That's what has helped us to become a better team." – Alli McCarty

"Alex never excludes anyone. Her great personality shows to everyone she meets! She definitely makes an effort to know everyone on the team." – Christina Magers

"Alex is an extremely positive and uplifting person. I don't hear much of anything negative come out of her mouth. I had a rough season this year and I got discouraged a lot, but Alex would always be there with hugs and encouraging words. She's an amazing friend and I really appreciate her." – Faith Baer

"She always shares her knowledge that she has gained through her experiences (nutrition/workouts/injuries) to better the team. She always steps up to be a leader and awesome role model. She truly loves every person on the team." – Lauren Wheetley

"She is a beloved part of the team! Before big meets, she is always telling us to get hyped! I think God is working through Alex to show his love for us." – Ashley Rosenkrans

"Even though I was the team captain, I looked up to her a lot because I always admired how she trusted God in everything she did and you could see that in her hard work. Before Alex
came to high school, there wasn't another runner I knew that encouraged her team and cared
about everyone as much as she does. I think everyone has noticed how well she treats everyone and her positive spirit has worn off on everyone." – Danielle Martin