VYPE: Coach, now that we are well into September and turning the corner into October, what have you been pleased with from your team so far this season?
Gena Flick: I’m pleased with their determination to better themselves, which in turn, makes the team better. They can see that we have the opportunity to be at the top this year and that has given them the drive to push harder at practice.
VYPE: How long have you been with WHS?
GF: Well, can I say my entire life? I was born and raised in Washington. I started teaching 7 years ago and then started coaching last year.
VYPE: Has anyone surprised you with their performance?
GF: Shiloh Phelps has really surprised me this year. She has improved her time from last season by quite a bit and has the potential to be a top 15 contender at State this year.
VYPE: At the Blanchard meet, the girls did very well taking the top honor. Scheffe and Phelps finished 1-2, what have they meant to the team this season?
GF: Scheffe has always been a solid runner for our XC team. She will be dearly missed this next year. She has always been the one the girls want to beat on our team. The girls and I joke that we will have to get a picture of Scheffe posted to the back of the lead cart for them to chase after she graduates. We lost Jayden Wells this year to a knee injury. This has been a significant loss to the team, but Phelps and Grimes have both helped close that gap. They are both always wanting and doing more to get faster.
VYPE: With another good showing at Bethany, how did you feel after the meet and what, if anything, did the team learn from competing against Bethany, SW Covenant and Casady?
GF: We won the Bethany meet last year and placing 3rd this year was tough, especially on me. We just didn’t run our best race that day. We know where our weaknesses are at, and we are working hard to close that gap.
VYPE: What are you most proud of with this group?
GF: Their determination and positive attitudes.
