By Eric Laughman, Trojan Tempo Staff Writer
Name:Girls’ 4x1600m Relay Team: Morgan Gigandet, Olivia Tyre, Kate Pence, Emma Shigley
School: Troy High School
Grade: Gigandet/Shigley: 10, Tyre/Pence: 9
Sport: Track
Claim to fame/honors: Set the school record at the Edwin C. Moses Relays
Words to live by: Gigandet: If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.
Tyre: Try to leave the world better than you found it.
Pence: Dream big, and never give up
Shigley: The faster you run, the faster you’ll be done.
Toughest opponent: Gigandet: Lainey Studebaker
Tyre: Emma Shigley
Pence: Myself
Shigley: Centerville cross country and track team.
Biggest influence: Gigandet: My team
Tyre: God
Pence: My parents
Shigley: My parents and siblings
Favorite home-cooked meal: Gigandet: Anything that has pasta in it.
Tyre: Lasagna
Pence: Steak, sweet potato, salad
Shigley: Chicken Enchiladas.
Favorite restaurant: Gigandet: Olive Garden
Tyre: A&W Root beer Stand
Pence: Outback
Shigley: Jeet India
Whose mind would you like to read: Gigandet: My coaches
Tyre: My little brothers’ (Wyatt)
Pence: I would love to read a dog's mind
Shigley: Nobody
Place where you'd love to travel: Gigandet: The Bahamas
Tyre: New Orleans
Pence: California
Shigley: Hawaii
Something in the world you'd like to change: Gigandet: The Environment
Tyre: The way we treat our environment.
Pence: I would change the way society treats animals
Shigley: I wish people in the world could become more optimistic, and have a positive attitude.
Do you want to play in college: Gigandet: Yes!
Tyre: Yes I would love to run in college.
Pence: I haven’t decided yet, but maybe
Shigley: Yes, I want to compete in cross country and track at the college level.
What sets you apart from your competition: Gigandet: Endurance I have to go fast for long distances.
Tyre: I am okay if someone beats me as long as I made them work for it.
Pence: My work ethic
Shigley: I have qualified for state every year so four in XC, and at the regional level in track.
What are your strengths? Areas for improvement? Gigandet: Endurance in distance. I need to improve feeling TIRED at the end of a race.
Tyre: I can switch from sprints to distance fairly well but I need to work on my running form.
Pence: Strengths: Consistency. What I could improve on: Mental Toughness
Shigley: I am able to push myself past the first mile. I need to improve on my sprinting ability at the end of a race.
What are your goals for yourself before you finish high school: Gigandet: Win 3200m track at state and cross country and help get 4x800 to state.
Tyre: My goal is to place in top 5 for something at state.
Pence: Qualify for state all 4 years of High School, stay motivated, and eat healthier
Shigley: Make it to state as an individual in track.
What keeps you motivated: Gigandet: My team, family.
Tyre: The fact there’s always one thing I can improve on.
Pence: My competition
Shigley: Always thinking positive before a race, if I’m not mentally prepared I won't do well.
What gets you fired up before a game: Gigandet: My teammates and knowing we all will do great.
Tyre: I jump around a lot and just move around.
Pence: Music
Shigley: When our teammates come out and support the team.
Other clubs/activities/sports: Gigandet: Cross Country.
Tyre: I am in choir. I worked on the play, I played soccer, and I’m in the outdoors club. I also run Cross Country.
Pence: Cross Country, Student Government
Shigley: Cross country and track.
Most memorable accomplishment: Gigandet: Getting 7th at state in 3200m at track last year.
Tyre: Getting a personal record with one shoe on.
Pence: Qualifying as a team for the state cross country meet
Shigley: Qualifying for state as an individual my freshman year.
Advice for aspiring players: Gigandet: To do what you love.
Tyre: Work as hard as you possibly can but listen to your body and don't worry about what other people will say about your accomplishments.
Pence: Believe in yourself
Shigley: Every race and practice put forth your best effort.
Who is your role model: Gigandet: Dad
Tyre: My step-dad, David.
Pence: My Dad and Coach Alexander.
Shigley: My parents and Coach Alexander.
