Every four years, The Olympic Games takes place, an event in which multiple athletes can compete in different sports in the highest level one can compete at. However, there are age requirements for each sport. As a result, younger athletes, like freshman Katie Schallon, compete in the Junior Olympics. While the age limit is lower, the qualification process is still similar, consisting of different stages.

“You go to districts first, and if you make top 16 in that, then you go to regionals,” Schallon said. “And if you make top eight in regionals out of 60 girls, then you get to go to the Junior Olympics.”

At 11 years old, Schallon started running for fun, and eventually made it to the Junior Olympics in eighth and ninth grade, competing in the 3,000-meter run and the 4×8-meter relay. To get to this point, she had to train six-seven hours a week.

“[I run] 40 miles a week split up into six days,” Schallon said. “[And] it consists of workouts and soccer on top of that…so it’s a lot of distance covered in a week.”

With this schedule, Schallon finds herself waking up early some mornings to train, then getting straight back to work after school. She said on occasional days she’ll train for both the Junior Olympics and soccer, leaving a limited amount of time for homework.

“I just make sure to get all my school work done during school…so after school I can just focus on my sports,” Schallon said.

The constant motion has caused Schallon to suffer from multiple injuries, and, as an athlete, she’s had to learn to adapt to the health issues.

“You have to recover and take time for your body to rest and heal,” Schallon said.

Despite these challenges, Schallon continues to work. She said she’s seen her determination grow due to putting in an immense amount of effort.

“I know how much work I have to put in if I want to be really good at it,” Schallon said.

Schallon plans on continuing her sports in the hopes of making the Junior Olympics and possibly being named All American. She said she also wants to continue to surround herself with others of the same goal.

“I wouldn’t give it up for the world because I just love the social aspect of running and my teammates are all very nice people,” Schallon said. “It’s just so fun to be in a community of people who care about the same things you do.”