Salute To Seniors: Hailee Phillips (Snow Canyon)

Jul 17, 2022

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What was your most memorable race/throw/jump/vault/moment?

My most memorable race was my 1600m at the 2022 Snow Canyon Invitational. I hadn't raced since region cross country due to injury and I had a month of training under my belt. I was really nervous about racing and showing everyone where my fitness level was because I thought I would be worse than in prior years. In that race I started in the middle of a huge pack and just worked my way up and going into the 4th lap I was smiling because it just felt so good to race again. I don't know how it happened but somehow I ended up in third and I broke a school record in the process. My favorite part about that race though is rewatching videos and seeing my teammates cheering on the sidelines. It started what would be the best season of my high school career with the most supportive teammates.

Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?

My biggest competition over my high school career would have to be my legendary teammate Brea Bulkley. In middle school, before I even knew about track and cross country, I participated in the SCMS Turkey-Trot, thinking I was going to win it because I could jog an entire mile without stopping to walk! During that race, I raced against Brea and she was so far ahead that I couldn't even see her at the end. From then on I wanted to be like her even though I had no idea who she was or that she did cross country. Somehow I found my way to the team, and for the first three years of my high school career, I chased her and looked up to her in everything I did. After she graduated, I still envisioned her ahead of me in workouts so I would run faster. She definitely pushed me to be the best I could be, whether I was actually racing with her or not.

What was your greatest accomplishment?

My greatest accomplishment would have to be winning the 3200m, 1600m, and 800m at state track this last year!

If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?

If I could go back and do it all over again I would definitely change my training and outlook during my freshman and sophomore years. In my freshman year, I barely ran and I had no vision for the future. I had no idea what I was doing and had nobody to guide me in what I was doing wrong. I got very injured during track season my freshman year because I wanted to be a hurdler, distance runner, and high jumper at the same time. Leading into my sophomore year I ran once during the summer. When I came back we had a new coaching staff and with their knowledge and visions, I recognized late that I wanted to be a competitive runner.

What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?

The most difficult obstacles I had to overcome would have to be the injuries I've had and the doubts from those.

What will you miss the most?

I will for sure miss my teammates, coaches, and competitors the most. My teammates were the most supportive people in the entire world. Every day going to xc and track practice was a blessing because of them. My coaches were always supportive as well and I could go to them for much-needed life advice because they are the most caring people ever. Also, the region 10 girls are such a party, this year I got really close with the girls I raced against and I will miss seeing them because they are just really cool people.

What advice would you give to younger athletes?

My advice to younger athletes is to listen to the coaches, they have some pretty good tips. Sleep a lot, eat healthy, and make friends with EVERYONE, whether they are on your team or not.

What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?

My coaches are the coolest people on the planet and they have helped me so much. I wouldn't have even come close to what I accomplished without them. My performances skyrocketed because of their sacrifices to help our team. My coaches also helped me establish a vision for where I wanted to take my running and I wouldn't be a college athlete now without their belief in me.