We are honored to highlight Selena Bangerter, a senior cross-country athlete from Jackson High School as our female athlete spotlight for the month of November. Read on to learn more about Selena and her running career!
SCSC: When did you start cross-country and what drew you towards the sport?
BANGERTER: Both of my parents ran collegiately so I’ve been around running basically my whole life. I joined cross country in 6th grade I’ve been doing that ever since. I didn’t get super into it until halfway through my freshman year.
SCSC: What is your favorite thing about competing for Jackson High School?
BANGERTER: It’s probably the team aspect. I do love just running, but being able to hang out with my teammates and succeed together with them is a lot of fun.
SCSC: Are there any athletes that you look up to? Where do you pull inspiration from?
BANGERTER: I follow like Allie Ostrander on Instagram and I like Nikki Hiltz. I think those are probably the main pro runners I’m fans of. Allie Ostrander, I think is a very positive and funny person. The others, it’s just kind of cool watching them race and I like seeing them do what they do.
SCSC: Do you have a routine before competition days?
BANGERTER: I always get my hair braided by one of my teammates. I feel like that’s like my pre-race ritual mainly. Other than that, I just eat a light breakfast, warm up, that type of thing.
SCSC: What are some life lessons you have learned through athletics?
BANGERTER: I’ve definitely learned a lot of hard work and discipline and time management skills from cross country over the years.
SCSC: What’s your favorite memory from your time running at Jackson High School?
BANGERTER: Probably either one of the varsity trips over the years, those have been a lot of fun, or qualifying for state with my team this last year.
SCSC: What are your plans after graduation?
BANGERTER: I’m committed to the University of Portland run cross country and track.
SCSC: What is the most influential piece of advice you have been given?
BANGERTER: Consistency is key. Keep putting in the work every single day and don’t take a week off if you’re not feeling it. Keep trying and keep going, that’s probably the best advice.