This is Micaela Reed’s first year running cross-country, but Lake Region Coach Kurt Peterson said, you’d never know that watching her run. 

“She has shown great dedication and improvement daily in both her endurance and speed,” Coach Peterson said. “Micaela has a quiet and calm personality, but when she is running, she is determined and fierce. She never waivers, never complains, and never gives up.”

In recognition of her strong work ethic, determination, commitment and good sportsmanship, Micaela is this week’s Boosters and Hancock Lumber “Player of the Week.” Each week, a Lake Region athlete is recognized for his/her dedication (does more than what is asked), work ethic, coachability and academic good standing. Recipients receive a specially-designed t-shirt, sponsored by Hancock Lumber.

Name: Micaela Reed

Year in School: Freshman

Hometown: Bridgton

Parents: Chaz and Kari Reed

Sports you play: Cross-country running and softball

School organizations: Girl Scouts, Choir

School honors: Homeschooled

Q. Why did you choose to run cross-country? One day during softball practice, Coach Peterson came into the gym and told me I should join the cross-country team. I had already been considering trying out a new sport, so I decided I would try cross-country.

Q. What is the most difficult part? For me, the hardest part is the last half mile of the race. I feel like I need to stop running, but I actually need to push myself to run faster.

Q. What do you enjoy the most about the sport? I enjoy the sense of accomplishment it gives me, and the sportsmanship of my team and other teams. This sport also makes you push yourself far beyond what you thought you could ever do, which is a skill that you can take with you for the rest of your life.

Q. What do you feel you need to work on and why? I need to push myself to get faster during the race because at the end of the race I still have enough energy to sprint.

Q. Why is teamwork important? Without teamwork, we would have an uncoordinated and unhappy team. Working together helps us achieve our goals for the team and for ourselves.

Q. What is the biggest impact your coach(es) have had on you? All of my coaches have been supportive of me as an athlete, always encouraging me to give 100 percent. They have shown me that I can do more than I ever thought I could.

Q. How do you want people to view you as an athlete? I want people to see me as a good sportsman and as someone who tries her hardest to reach her goals.

Q. Ten years from now, when you look back on your high school sports career, what do you think you will remember most? I think that I’ll remember really pushing myself past what I thought my limits were for the first time. I’ll also remember my teammates and coaches and how they helped me reach my goals.