Casey McDowell, a member of this year’s Polk County High School’s 2A State 4×400 champion relay team, knows exactly where her feet will land next fall.
The senior signed earlier this spring to run cross-country and track for Brevard College.
“I really wanted a small school and they also have a really great cross country and track program,” McDowell said of her choice.
McDowell began running cross-country her sophomore year as a means of getting in shape for basketball and stuck with it through her senior year.  This year she added track to her athletic resume and found success at the state level.
McDowell and fellow relay team members Rebecca Elliott, Autumn Miller and Mary Kate Christiansen won the state title with a time of 4:02:37, besting their regional time by 15 seconds and setting a new school record.
“We knew that we had a chance but we weren’t sure because there were many teams that were running the same times as us so it felt good to win,” McDowell said. “Our first leg determines how we place and she did really well so it set the tone for us.”
McDowell also ran the fastest 400 split of her career, said Coach Jenny Wolfe. It’s hard for McDowell to pinpoint what she loves about running the most, but she said the mental exhilaration definitely makes up a big part of her love for the sport.
“Just to know that I am able to accomplish something that not everyone can is a good feeling,” McDowell said.
McDowell began looking at Brevard College during cross-country season this year. She said she hopes to major in business.