To say that Mia Reich has a high ceiling of potential is a definite understatement. This talented freshman at Wright City High School is already a standout in track and cross-country and she hasn’t run a varsity race for the Lumberjax yet.

“She’s extremely talented with a strong work ethic and a dedication to the sport,” said her coach Johnny Crabtree waho has been coaching her since fifth grade. “She led our eighth-grade team to the championship of the state junior high All-Star track meet and placed fourth overall. We traveled to a lot of meets last year and she never lost in either the 800 or the hurdles.”

Mia credits Crabtree for getting her started as a runner.

“Coach came to our fourth-grade class to speak and invited us to run cross country the next year so my friend and I thought that would be fun to do and I’ve loved it ever since,” said Reich. “I like the idea of running because it lets you know your limits and gives you a chance to exceed those limits and it’s outdoors which I really like.”

In track Mia runs the 800 meters and the 300-meter hurdles though it didn’t start that way.

“I was watching a kid at the track run hurdles one day and I thought it was so neat to have an event where you can run and jump both. I started off the with 100-meter hurdles but I wasn’t very good so coach suggested that since I prefer running distances, I should try the 300 hurdles and that’s become my main hurdling event.”

In addition to track and cross country, Mia also plays forward on the basketball team, but she also has some impressive activities away from sports.

“I’m in competitive dance and our team recently went to Disney World and performed in the parade and did a dance showcase. I’m in Girl Scouts and recently received the National Silver Star Award. I was a Little Miss Choctaw Nation and am currently competing for Little Miss Junior Choctaw Nation and I am the chapter representative for the Choctaw Youth Advisory Board.”

And, to no surprise, she carries a 4.0 GPA. As a freshman she will be captain of the cross-country team this season and outlines what she feels makes a good leader.

“A good leader listens and then applies what people say based on everyone’s work ethic and makes sure everyone is doing their best and moving forward.”

Mia credits Crabtree and assistant coach Edna Turner as role models in her running and has a goal to make All State in cross-country this year-a rarity for a freshman.