By Kyle LoJacono
Members of the Wiregrass Ranch girls cross country team can’t stand being second in anything.
The squad has dominated the area distance running scene in recent years, and a trio of Bulls has also put themselves at the top of the 2013 graduating class.
Seniors Hannah Eder, Emily Payne and Nikita Shah have identical 4.65 weight grade point averages (GPA), putting them on pace to finish as co-valedictorians.
“We’ve known each other for a lot of years, and we’ve always been academically talented and willing to work hard,” said Shah, who is planning for a career in medicine. “We all like learning. We’re competitive between each other, but we’re also supportive of each other.”
Seventh-year Wiregrass Ranch cross country coach Don Howard said it’s common for distance runners to be good students because both require planning toward a long-term goal.
“You have to train every day, and you have to keep motivated the whole time,” said Shah, the team’s top runner. “Even if you don’t feel it one day you have to go out there. Same thing with academics. You have to study before, and if you have to know something you go and learn it. You can’t put it off.”
Howard is used to having good students on his team, but not quite at the level of Eder, Payne and Shah at the same time.
“I’m not sure if there’s ever been three girls tied for valedictorian on the same team,” Howard said. “They all get along; they’re friends. I don’t see competition between them (with grades). I would like to see a tri-val all-cross country girl year.”
Eder, who plans to be an orthodontist, said a reason for their academic success is Howard’s view on grades.
“I think it’s because coach Howard is so supportive of school work,” Eder said. “He always tells us to put school first.”
Shah and Payne have been on the cross country team since their freshman season.
Eder competed as a ninth-grader, but focused on soccer and track the last two years. She returned this season in part to be in shape for the other sports while staying close to Shah and Payne.
“Emily and Nikita are two of my best friends, so it’s a way to keep up with them,” Eder said. She added, “It’s motivation to stay on top of things because if you see other people getting an A you want to work harder. If you see someone getting first and you’re getting third or fourth in a track meet you want to push yourself to do better. We’re still friends. It’s not cutthroat, but we’re definitely competitive.”
Payne, who is most interested in biology, said they didn’t realize they had the same GPA until the track season of their junior year.
“It just kind of happened,” Payne said. “It’s nice because we’ve always been friends, so we can study for class together and we can run together, even though I can’t keep up with Nikita. … It’s really nice to have them, because I know there’s someone to always keep me on my toes.”
