Jordanna Cota was a multi-sport athlete in school, playing basketball, volleyball, softball up until grade 10 when one coach suggested she get some conditioning in her routine by joining the running team.
“I went out and ran just before basketball provincials and placed 10th and that’s where it all started,” said the graduate of Hunting Hills High School and now a nursing student at Red Deer College.
She loved it enough to drop the other sports and concentrated on running which she is enjoying immensely as a member of the RDC Cross Country team. She is quite happy with her situation in Red Deer, close to family and friends and working with great teachers and coaches.
“This is her fourth season so she brings a lot of experience and is a role model off the field or the track as well as during practice too,” said Kari Elliott. “I didn’t have her in her first three seasons. I have her on her fourth season but I have found her to be an absolute pleasure.
So what is it about running cross country that provides her with such a positive outlook and competitive spirit?
oth aspects in the same sport. You don’t usually get that.”“I think I love just the drive, the individualness of the sport. I like being able to do it on my own time. It’s such an individual sport but a team sport at the same time. I love having b
She says cross country has taught her how to manage her time, get organized, set goals and reach those same goals by pushing herself in ways she never thought possible.
Cota says the current coaching staff run with the team and share their own experiences of racing at the college level which helps drive them.
“They know what to expect when racing in those top races and it’s nice to have those females around to really push us and give us advice on everything,” she said.
“She definitely responds well to being urged to work harder and rises to that. If I suggest something she takes it in stride and it’s exciting to see her improve and excel this season,” said Elliott.
Cota adds her team mates to the list of those who have helped her along the way. They are the bunch who are always there for those 6 a.m. practices even when the runners are sore from the previous meet. It makes for a great team environment to work in.
“We all rotate positions in practices so it’s never one person beating someone the whole time. It’s somebody leading and then one of the girls says I’m going to try leading this time,” she said.
Elliot says the younger members on the team get to learn from their captain as she has raced these courses before and is very aware of what it feels like to run hard and train hard continually. Cota is a prime example for those first year student athletes who might be a little intimidated by the whole college scene.
“How am I going to manage my training schedule and still study for my mid-terms and she’s done all of that and done it well,” said Elliott.
Balancing her sport with her school work is a true test of her dedication to both areas of her life.
“Nursing is tough. We have clinicals Thursday and Friday so we’re up at six in the morning and going until one in the afternoon and then practice and homework so you’re up late again,” she said. “It takes some dedication but it’s what I love-both of them, nursing and running, so it’s something I’m really passionate about.
She is going to graduate two years from now and the plan is to run for one more year and in her final year of school she will focus solely on her chosen career path.
“I know I will always have running in my life. It’s something that relieves that stress. It keeps me going and it keeps me fit and it keeps me mentally sane some days.”
