Late start won't deter distance runner Aubree Wille's goals at Van Buren

Aubree Wille has had some late starts to running and her seasons, but they haven't slowed her down in pursuing her goals at Van Buren. Wille didn't start cross country running until she was at the Van Buren Freshman Academy. Previously, she only ran track in the spring of her eighth-grade year. "I would chase my brothers, and my dad encouraged me to try running," Wille said. "I love to run. It's something I'm good at, and I want to run in college. I'm very competitive and keep pushing myself to get better. My parents are always pushing me to be the best that I can, like getting A's in class, being first, and beating records." She missed the first two meets at the start of the 2020 season, but finished third at the 5A West Conference meet with her personal best (19:26.4) and was fourth at the Class 5A meet a week later. She's also made the state's All-Star team the past two seasons as well. Cross country coach Rod Ray is certain that she'll break the 19-minute mark in the 5K and in the spring work towards setting new school records in the 3,200 and 1,600. Wille rolled her ankle while hiking at Mount Magazine during the Van Buren cross country team's summer camp. "I think she can make the all-star team again this year if we can stay away from injuries," Ray said. "She's going to be fine. She's going to be sore for a while because it's one of those injuries that takes time to heal, and when you're running on it... She'll be alright. It's tough that she missed three weeks, but she'll be good." Wille said that it doesn't hurt much and hopes to run in the first meet at Shiloh Christian. Her favorite course is running at Van Buren, but she isn't a fan of all the hills associated with the Shiloh Christian event in Northwest Arkansas. "I really have to push myself in practice," Wille said. "I do want to break 19 minutes. The school record is 18:56. I know if I do better in practice, once I get to the meet, I can do better because all the adrenaline will kick in."

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Van Buren High School Athletics

LATE START WON'T DETER DISTANCE RUNNER AUBREE WILLE'S GOALS AT VAN BUREN

GEORGE MITCHELL

SW Times | 9/5/2021