Freshman track runner breaks 23-year-old record
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For Charlo freshman Aspen Runkel, her recent performance at the district track meet in Polson was the icing on the cake of an already successful season. At the meet, Runkel topped a 23-year-old school record in the 400-meter dash, previously held by Kathy McCready. Runkel finished the 400-meter dash with a time of 61.64, beating McCready’s long-standing record of 62.08.
“It’s a great accomplishment,” Runkel said. “My best last year was 64 seconds, so this makes my freshman year a lot better.”
Runkel’s not done with the record books just yet, she says.
“I’d like to set the bar really high before I leave,” she said. “My new goal is to get down into the 50s so that I can set a record that won’t be broken anytime soon.”
Runkel says her success came through staying focused on personal goals, and by putting in her fair share of time on the track practicing technique.
“I’m going to continue pushing myself,” she said.
Charlo track coach Bret Thompson says Runkel has done an exceptional job this year, and that he expects she’ll continue to improve.
“It’s a good mark as long as she can break it every year she’s here,” Thompson said.
For anyone who is new to the sport, Runkel says no goal is too great to achieve.
“I encourage anyone who takes on this sport to not get discouraged,” Runkel said. “You’re never too far from a goal,” she said. “If you believe you can do it and push yourself, anything is possible.”
