Monica Adler
Age: 17
High school: Beverly
Year in school: Senior
Sport: Cross Country
What makes you so fast?
I suffered a stress fracture in my ankle over the summer and into the beginning of the cross country season, so I joined a swim team this fall and I think it's helped my speed. I think it also helped me get into better shape from a cardio standpoint.
When did you begin running cross country?
Eighth grade. A lot of my friends were doing it, so I decided to go out for it. It's funny because before that I never really enjoyed running, but I joined the team and immediately fell in love with it.
Beverly has not lost an Northeastern Conference meet in cross country, winter or spring track in your four seasons. WHat makes this team so good?
I think a lot of it we owe to coach (Dave) Jellerson. He's very passionate about what he does and cares a lot about the team. Also, the girls on the team. Because we've had such a great team for so long, everyone knows what they need to do. We do what coach tells us, and it all works out.
What was it like running in such wet and windy conditions last week at the Division 2 championships?
It was acutally kind of fun; definitely a change. A lot of people fell, but I was fortunate not to. The wind and the rain all put together made the times quite a bit slower, but everyone was in the same boat. It was true cross country.
You also run track in the winter and spring. Which of the three seasons do you like best?
I like indoor track the best because I like the mile better than the three-mile for cross country. Cross country season is great, too, becuase it is a smaller, closer team and I like to run outside. But if I had to chose one, I'd say indoor track.
What are your plans for next year?
I applied early decision to Dartmouth and am waiting to hear back. If that doesn't work out I have a few other colleges in mind. I plan on running wherever I decide to go.
How do you feel about running in the All-State meet this weekend?
I'm really excited. It seems every week I've been feeling better when I race, my workouts have been better and coach Jellerson is really pushing me. And my teammate Millie Chapman is improving each week, too, so I hope we have good finishes and end on a good note.
COMING UP NEXT: Adler and teammate Millie Chapman will head to Nothfield Saturday to race against the state's best runners in the All-State Meet.
— Dan Harrison
