East County Athlete of the Week: Savannah Adams

The Lakewood Ranch girls track and field team placed sixth out of 16 teams at the Wally Keller Invitational April 3 as senior Savannah Adams had one of her best performances. Adams won the 800-meter run (2:19.80), and was part of the winning 4x800 relay team (10:15.11) along with placing third as part of the 4x400 relay team (4:16.24). 

When and why did you start running track? 

My sister (Madison Adams) started track before I did. She’s a year ahead of me in school and she started with javelin. I tried javelin at first, but I never really was interested in it. I’ve always kind of loved running so I started with long distance because I saw the 800 and I was like, ‘Oh, maybe I’ll try that out, and then I got first and I was like maybe this is something I’m good at.’

What’s gone right for you this season?

I’ve been feeling strong this year, with my nutrition, every practice I’ve been very focused. I’ve been doing the full cool down and warm up. Sometimes on the days it’s hot, I’ve been like ‘Oh, I’ll just do half of it,’ but now I’ve been doing full recovery, full nutrition and giving it my all during workouts. I think it’s showing.

Why are you so focused this year?

I’m a senior and it’s my last year. I want to make it to states. I’ve gotten my time down now to 2:19 (800 meters), which is very close to what the state times were last year.

What’s your favorite memory in track?

Track stresses me, but I’ve loved every second of it. The feeling after each workout and after each race, especially when you run a (personal record), you get a feeling of accomplishment and that your hard work has paid off. The relief of it being done and knowing you gave it your all is one of the best feelings in the world.

What stresses you out about track?

I strive to do my best and when I feel I can’t give it my all or I feel like I’m not making my times, it definitely upsets me. 

What’s your favorite meal?

I love steak, baked potato and broccoli. I don’t know why, but those things combine and it’s really good. I like to get that at Texas Roadhouse. That’s my go-to for that meal.

What’s your favorite TV show or movie?

My family has been watching ‘The Chosen,’ which is a show about the Bible. 

What’s your go-to warm-up song?

I get stressed and nervous, so I play a lot of country music to calm myself down before races. One of my favorite songs is ‘Shake the Frost’ by Tyler Childers. I don’t know why, but it helps me get in the zone and breathe and calm down.

If you’re not running or playing soccer, what are you doing?

I like to read a lot and hang out with my family. We’ll either be playing games, or my family is really competitive, so we’ll play pickleball or play Wii. 

What’s been your most humbling moment in track?

I don’t like talking about this a lot, but definitely the Wally Keller meet last year. I ran probably my worst time at that meet. My mental game was not in it during the race and I was overconfident. Everyone was passing me, and I was just like, ‘Wow, I needed to focus more.’ It made me realize that those other girls wanted it as much as I do, so I needed to work twice as hard to beat them."

Who is your favorite track athlete and why?

I know she doesn’t run my event, but it’s Sydney McLaughlin, who runs the 400 hurdles. She works so incredibly hard and her form is so good. You can just see in her face that she’s race-ready, but she’s also so sweet. I’ve seen so many videos where she’s so caring and stuff like that, but she also has a strict training schedule and she’s focused on it and she knows her goals. That’s what makes her the best.

Finish this sentence. Savannah Adams is…

Competitive. I want to be No. 1 and give it my best every single day, no matter what it is. Good enough is not good enough for me.