Fuksa leads Chisholm girls cross country team to state

By Bruce Campbell, Staff Writer

Chloe Fuksa dreams of a memorable finish to her high school cross country career at Saturday’s Class 2A state championships in Shawnee.

The Chisholm senior, who won the individual competition at a regional last week at Crosslin Park, is shooting to lead the Lady Longhorns to the team title while winning the individual competition.

“The last one you want to go out strong,’’ she said. “That would be the absolutely perfect way to go out.’’

The state meet has been both the best of times and the worst of times for her.

She was on state runner-up teams her freshman and sophomore seasons. Fuksa took All-State honors as a sophomore when she finished eighth individually.

Last year, however, she dropped to 23rd in the individual competition in the Class 3A meet as the Lady Longhorns finished a disappointing sixth.

“We were up in 3A with Plainview and that made things really difficult,’’ Fuksa said. “It was definitely not as good as we were hoping for.’’

Chisholm’s girls entered state as the No. 4-ranked team in 2A behind Watonga, Thomas and Boise City, who edged the Lady Longhorns for the championship at last weekend’s regionals.

The Lady Longhorns were third at a pre-state meet in Shawnee last month in the small school division behind 3A Seminole and Thomas.

Fuksa was the highest finisher individually among 2A runners, taking second in the small school division behind Marlow’s Marci Rich.

“We like the course,’’ Fuksa said. “We all ran good times there. If we go out and run our race, we’ll be fine.’’

Fuksa likes to go out quickly.

“I try to get as fluid as I can and stay strong where I can get a good pace the rest of the race,’’ she said.

Fuksa has a few superstitions before each race — she eats oatmeal with maple syrup for breakfast and wears the same socks.

The maple syrup is for energy. Many runners have pancakes before the race.

She defers to mom about the oatmeal.

“My mom always says it sticks to the bones,’’ Fuksa said.

The time before a race is a time of reflection for her.

“I just try to stay relaxed and focused,’’ Fuksa said. “I know what I have to do. I don’t get nervous. I just get focused as I can and go run.’’

Her time at Chisholm has gone quickly. She feels like it was almost yesterday when she was a freshman getting ready for her first state meet.

“It’s been absolutely crazy,’’ Fuksa said

Fuksa has taken a strong leader’s role as a senior.

“I would like to be a role model to these girls,’’ Fuksa said. “I want to be someone they can look up to. I try to push them because I know we can win state.’’

She tries to be both a vocal and a leader by example.

“I’ve talked to the other girls every day,’’ Fuksa said. “I want to make sure they are focused and ready to run.’’

The relationships she’s developed has been her favorite part of running.

“I just like the routine of it,’’ Fuksa said. “I love these girls to death. They’re phenomenal. I’ve made friends from other schools.’’

Fuksa will not go out for basketball this season, but plans to run track. She plans to concentrate strictly on academics in college.

“I’ve been able to concentrate on cross country 110 percent, that’s helped me,’’ Fuksa said.

Fuksa will be joined in the CHS lineup by Alex Choate, Brooke Hammons, Hayley Mitchell, Alix Tyson, Tiffany Piper and Danielle Murzynsky.