Each week during the school year, the Naples Daily News will select players who stood out from the previous week based on a combination of coaches reports and school nominations sent to sports@naplesnews.com and our own coverage. These athletes will be voted on every Monday on naplesnews.com, and readers can vote for who they think worked the hardest. Winners of the Naples Daily News Athlete of the Week voting sponsored by Elevate Home Services will receive a T-shirt provided by BSN Sports and a tote bag provided by USA Today High School Sports Awards. To learn more about the winners, Naples Daily News will conduct weekly Q&A sessions with each athlete.
The Naples Daily News Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Elevate Home Services from Sept. 23-28, was community school cross country runner Sienna Audrey. Audrey received 18,032 votes out of 35,156 total cast members, or 51.29 percent. Audrey finished in first place at the Ave Maria Invite with a time of 19:26.10.
Question: How did you start running?
Audrey: As a freshman, I was informed by some friends that the CSN cross country team did not have enough girls to compete in any races. We thought there could be no better idea than joining the team in preparation for soccer season. As soon as I started running in first grade, I realized I was hooked on the sport.
What has been particularly memorable in your running career so far?
Audrey: The highlight of my career so far was my sophomore year regional race at Lakeland. This was one of the highlights of my running career because going into this race I was overwhelmed by the competition and couldn’t put myself on the same level as other runners. I changed my attitude and took the pressure off myself. This taught me that success can be achieved with the right mindset.
Do you have a kind of pre-run routine?
Audrey: My routine before a big competition is to make sure my nutrition is on point the day before, stay hydrated, and take my recovery resources seriously. I also keep a diary to record my thoughts to prevent pre-race anxiety. Finally, and most importantly, I prioritize getting quality sleep two days before the race.
Are there any runners in the U.S. or abroad that you admire or love to watch? If so, why?
Audrey: Yes! I’ve been following (Team USA runner) Parker Valby for a while and am so inspired by her progress. She has suffered many injuries just like me, so I am hopeful that my career will be successful despite some setbacks. It was incredible to watch her break so many records.
If you weren’t running a course or track, what sport would you be participating in and why?
Audrey: If I wasn’t doing cross country or track and field right now, I would probably still be playing soccer. I love the sport and still play it with friends and family from time to time, but it doesn’t compare to my love for running.
