Rising Stars: Kate J.

A 6th grader from Parker, Kate shows up to every practice and meet with the same defining qualities: a constant smile, genuine positivity, and an enthusiasm for learning that stands out immediately. She asks thoughtful questions, listens closely to feedback, and then goes right to work applying it. That curiosity and coachability have helped her develop quickly—and it is clear that she is only getting started.

Kate joined Elevated in the fall of 2024 and has already made her mark in both cross country and track. Her current personal bests show impressive range and speed for a young runner:

• 800m – 2:36

• 1600m – 5:57

• 3k – 12:22

• 5k – 22:24

Those times have earned her top EDT marks in both cross country and track, and they reflect the kind of dedication Kate brings to her training. She credits her progress to staying positive, staying dedicated, and choosing to keep going even when things get hard.

That mindset is especially visible late in races. Kate has blistering leg speed that makes her incredibly dangerous in the final stretch. When the race tightens and others begin to fade, she often finds another gear. It is a kick that has already turned heads—and one that will continue to make her a threat in any field she lines up against.

For Kate, though, running has always been about more than just fast times. What she loves most is the moment in a race when things start to hurt and she reminds herself why she trained in the first place.

“I love the moment when you are tired, but you keep going because you know you can,” she says. “I always remind myself that this is what I trained for.”

That same mindset is the advice she gives to newer runners as well: if you ever feel like giving up during a race, remember the work you’ve put in. Trust it.

Kate’s favorite season is track, where she feels especially connected to her teammates. The workouts, the fast-paced meets, and the shared excitement of competition make the season particularly special for her. And while she loves the racing, some of her favorite memories come from traveling with the team—especially trips to meets in places like Washburn, Kansas, and the fun of spending time with teammates at the hotel afterward.

Those experiences highlight another one of Kate’s defining traits: she is incredibly kind and selfless. She gets along with everyone on the team and has a natural way of making people feel included and supported. Teammates enjoy being around her, and her positive energy is contagious.

Outside of running, Kate brings the same curiosity and determination to her other interests. She takes piano lessons and is currently working on learning Beethoven’s Für Elise, continuing to challenge herself and grow in new ways.

Like any dedicated runner, Kate also has her race-day traditions. Her favorite pre-race dinner is lasagna, though she is also thoughtful about nutrition and often chooses foods that provide iron, calcium, and vitamins to help her perform well (her words, not ours). After a race, she keeps it simple—a small cookie or an apple.

Looking ahead, Kate has her sights set on breaking 5:45 in the mile within the next year. Knowing the way she approaches training—with big goals, consistent effort, and an unwavering belief that improvement is always possible—it is a goal that feels well within reach.

Watching Kate chase those goals has already been one of the great joys for the team. Her positivity, work ethic, and kindness make her someone everyone roots for.

And if the early chapters of her running journey are any indication, Kate’s future in the sport is incredibly bright.