Junior runner Amity Lauzon made school history this season by breaking the girls cross country record with an impressive time of 18:53, cementing her place as one of the program’s top athletes. She also won the Sectional championship last week, the first MHS girl’s runner to do so since 1998.
As Sectional champion, Amity will be advancing to this week’s regionals, along with teammate Meagan Thomas and boys runners Eric Dotson, Aiden Chavez and Tristan Douglas.
For Lauzon, the record-breaking race was both thrilling and exhausting.
“I was very excited and also really tired because it was a hard race,” Lauzon said. “But it was also really fast-paced, so it was really fun to do.”
Her hard work and dedication paid off after months of focused training. To improve her time, Lauzon decided to train alongside the boys team.
“Running with faster people helps you go faster,” she said. “Running with the boys during workouts and long runs really helped me improve.”
Lauzon admitted that staying motivated during a race can be a challenge, but the thought of making history pushed her through.
“It’s hard to stay motivated in the middle of the race,” she said. “But knowing that you can make history and that it’s within your reach, that keeps you going.”
Coach Adam Johnson wasn’t surprised by Lauzon’s record-breaking performance.
“When she broke the record, it was not a shock to me or Coach Hoffman,” he said. “She shows up and works hard every day, and she knows what she’s capable of. We were both just very happy for her, because she earned it.”
Coach Johnson said he recognized Lauzon’s potential early in her first season.
“She was constantly asking questions on how she could be better,” he recalled. “She never complained when things got hard, and she constantly pushed her teammates. When she and Meagan qualified for Regionals in their first year, I knew they both had a bright future.”
According to Coach Johnson, Lauzon’s success represents more than an individual achievement.
“For the program, it shows that me and Coach Hoffman have a system that works,” he said. “With the right work ethic, we’ll help you reach your potential, which Amity has since the day I met her.”
Coach Johnson hopes Lauzon’s accomplishments inspire future runners.
“I see more records coming in cross country and track,” he said. “For Amity, I truly believe she hasn’t touched her true potential. Some athletes just have that ability to make those around them better, and that will be part of her continued legacy.”
Beyond physical training, Johnson emphasizes mental toughness with his team. “Our sport is 90% mental,” he explained. “There will be bad races and tough days, but it’s about pushing through. Once you see that mental growth, that’s when the faster times come.”
Lauzon doesn’t plan on slowing down after her record-breaking run. “My goals for postseason are to be top 10 in the region and to run the best race I can at state,” she said. “Hopefully I can set a new PR and school record.”
For Lauzon, the best part of running isn’t the competition, it’s the community. “What I love most about running is having fun with teammates while working hard to achieve our goals,” she said.
Still, she admits the hardest part is staying disciplined.
“You have to show up and give your best every day, even when you’re tired or sore,” she said. “That’s what makes the difference.”
