Lumen Christi Catholic School track and field runner Allison Rand won the 1,600-meter run Wednesday during a meet at Northwest High School
By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
Lumen Christi Catholic High School runner Allison Rand has learned to see the potential in other people during her four years on the cross country and track and field teams.
She learned it from the best.
Rand has been part of three all-state relay teams and last year left the Michigan High School Athletic Association state track and field meet with a pair of medals.
The Titans won the 1,600-meter relay and she finished third individually in the 800-meter run.
She is proud of the winning relay team.
“In track and field and cross country I have learned to see the potential in other people and that helped our relay team,” Rand said. “I learned that from Coach Mike Woolsey.
“He sees the potential in each runner … even before they know or believe it.”
Rand combined with freshman Renae Kutcha, and seniors Marilyn Schonhard and Audrey Warriner to win the 1,600-meter relay at the state meet in 4 minutes, 1 second.
Kutcha went on to win the 400-meter run for the Titans.
She finished third in the 800-meter run at the state meet in 2:12.57. That time qualified her for the New Balance Outdoor Championships.
“She had a great weekend at the outdoor championships and caught the eye of a number of Division 1 schools,” Woolsey said. “Allison is a tough kid with high goals in life.”
Rand will attend he University of Tennessee next fall on a track and field and cross country scholarship.
“I loved the school and the coaches,” Rand said of Tennessee.
The senior will not have any trouble academically. She has a grade point average of 3.99 in regular classes. Rand also takes weighted classes and dual enrolls giving her a GPA of over 4.0.
She is number one in her classes with just over a month to go.
Rand said she has enjoyed participating in runner, not just for the medal or the accolades.
“I have made a lot of great friendships through running cross country and track,” Rand said. “It has also created a lot of memories.”
Rand said she is good friends with Judy Rector of Hanover-Horton. The Comet beat Rand in the 800 at the state meet a year ago.
Rand sets a goal of running the 800 in under 2:10 this season.
“Over the years I have learned to trust Coach Woolsey’s race plans,” Rand said. “He believes in you and really pushes you to get better.”
Allison Rand
School: Lumen Christi Catholic High School
Grade: Senior
Sports: Cross country and track and field
Achievements: Rand has earned all-state honors each of the first three years in track and field. She earned a pair of medals at last year’s MHSAA track and field finals.
Academics: Rand has a weighted GPA of over 4.0 at Lumen Christi. She plans to attend the University of Tennessee this fall to study business. She would eventually like to study law.
Other activities: Rand is a member of the National Honor Society, Lumen Christi Student Council and Spanish Club.
Parents: Amanda and Steven Rand
