Hayati Wolfenden’s Mountain View cross country team has finished third at districts in for first two years and she hasn’t qualified for state as an individual. It would seem that is going to change this year. Wolfenden, a junior, started the year with an impressive showing at the Pre-District meet in Ashland where she was the 5th fastest runner in the league and her Cougars came in second behind Summit. Hayati was kind enough to answer a few questions for Central Oregon Athlete:

Central Oregon Athlete – How long have you been running competitively?
Hayati Wolfenden – Since 7th grade when I joined cross country at Sky View.

COA – What got you into running?
HW – I was the new kid at school and it was a way to meet new people. Once I got into it, I just realized it’s something I genuinely enjoy. Running, especially running fast, is really, really fun.

COA – What sports do you play other than running XC?
HW – I nordic ski in the winter, and have done both tennis and track in the spring. I also like biking and white-water rafting a lot.

COA – What are your goals for the XC season?
HW – This XC season I’d like to break into the 19′s. I also want to stay as close to Mikhaila Thornton and Jessica Wolfe as possible. The Mtn. View girls’ team is really working on running as a pack this year.

COA – What’s the best part of running XC?
HW – The people for sure. To be on the XC team is to be part of a family.

COA – Do you have a favorite race course?
HW – I love the Trask Challenge. It’s a super muddy, hilly, wet, and slippery course– very awesome.

COA – What do you like to do when you aren’t running?
HW – I like to read and draw a lot. Just recently I’ve actually started knitting, which has become a small obsession.

COA – What is your favorite workout in Central Oregon?
HW – I love going up towards the 7th Mountain and running on the river trail back there. It’s a really gorgeous trail, with good shade and wonderful scenery. It’s really easy to do very long runs out there, because time can cease to exist.

Past District results:
2009 – 21st 21:01
2008 – 29th, 21:20