Hannah Dougherty, psychology and pre-med freshman, began running cross country at Loyola this fall and holds the fastest times on her team in four out of five meets,
Her collegiate debut was the Radisson Hotel Wolfpack Invitational where she placed fourth.

 In the Gulf Coast Stampede, Dougherty ran her best time of 20:20.
“She aspires to beat the school record time of 19:35,” said Andy Canegitta, head cross country coach. “By the conference she should meet her goal and then bring the team to nationals,” he said.

In the 37th Annual Azalea City Classic, Dougherty finished 37th. She led the women in each of the meets.

Dougherty’s strive for success extends outside of practice she said. She commenced hot yoga as a new technique to better herself and the team.

“Hot yoga is known to improve running,” said  Canegitta.

According to Dougherty, her teammates play a significant role in her passion for cross country.

 “I like being on a team and we all get along,” she explained. “Cross country has more of a team aspect than track and I made new friends.”

“She has good character,” said Canegitta. “She brings the team together with her high spirit.”

She started as a soccer player and a sprinter at Seattle Academy Arts and Science High School.

“I wanted to play soccer, but there wasn’t a team,” said Dougherty. “So I joined track, and coach explained long distance and I loved it.”

Dougherty lettered four years and named a two-time MVP for track while in high school. She progressed to middle-distance running once she became a Loyola runner.
“Middle-distance is meant for Hannah,” said Canegitta. “The next step for a sprinter in most division one schools is middle-distance.”

“She’s aggressive and toughens it out during workouts,” he said.

“Hannah is a hard worker and leads by action.”

Her methods before meets are typical. Like most runners “I stretch,” said Dougherty.

“I run for 10 minutes and talk a lot for the mental aspect.” She focuses on completing meets. “The best thing is finishing the race and not dying of exhaustion,” said Dougherty.
According to Canegitta, Dougherty’s performance was unexpected.

“I was caught off guard.” “I don’t discriminate against high school positions,” explained Canegitta. “That is a good thing, because I would have never known she’s this good.”
Dougherty realized a difference between soccer, track and cross country. 

“Soccer you pass the ball and take breaks, but not in cross country,” said Dougherty.
“Track is more individual and cross country has a team characteristic,” explained Dougherty. “Cross country is all running and I love it.”

Brittney Holmes can be reached at [email protected]