Ainsley Erzen, a junior at Carlisle High in Iowa, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to reflect on becoming the only high school female athlete in Drake Relays history to win the 400 and 800 meters in the same year, which she did by running state-leading marks in both events April 22, clocking 56.28 in the 400 and 2:13.73 in the 800. Erzen also teamed with Alex Blackford Ashliah Hyde and Isabelle Noring to finish 14th in the 800-meter sprint medley relay in 1:52.15, before placing 20th in the 1,500 meters in 5:07.19 in her fourth event of the day. Erzen revisits the mental and emotional preparation required to compete in all four events, and the physical challenge of having the 1,500 at the end of the schedule. She also shares the motivation gained for the May 20-22 state meet at Drake Stadium and Jim Duncan Track, and her opportunity to run a similar schedule spread out over three days, with an opportunity to compete again in the 1,500 with fresher legs. Erzen examines the benefits of competing indoors during the winter season as part of the XLR8 series in Iowa, and seeing many of the strongest mid-distance athletes in the state on a regular basis. She analyzes the inspiration that the current group of Iowa prep standouts has gained from all-time competitors such as Shelby Houlihan, Karissa Schweizer, Katie Flood and Stephanie Jenks, among others, and how instrumental it has been to have such strong standards and fast records to pursue during their high school careers. Erzen also reveals the balance of competing in her soccer season for Carlisle, which regularly overlaps, including playing the full match April 22 only an hour following her Drake Relays experience, as the Wildcats suffered a 4-3 loss to Des Moines Christian. She speaks about the opportunity to compete in soccer and many other sports with her sophomore sister Tessa Erzen, and the connection they have together on the field for the Wildcats, who are 7-2 overall, including 5-1 in conference. Erzen also explains the importance of faith in her family, and how that spiritual strength helped her continue to remain optimistic and hopeful about the return to normal activites and competition throughout the pandemic.