Spotlight Athlete: Samantha Roush

 



While on a mission trip this summer, Columbia City High School junior Samantha Roush suffered a foot injury that could hamper her in the upcoming cross country season. Though it has slowed her down it didn't stop her from finishing her week-long mission trip, and it isn't stopping her from trying to make a full recovery.

How did you get started in cross country?

I remember in Elementary school is when I started running because I wanted to win the fifth grade mile. I didn’t want any boys to beat me. I won for the girls and only one boy beat me. I just love running, I am blessed to be able to run and think of it as a gift from God. My family, coaches and team are amazing and always support me. All of them are a big reason why I love this sport and I cannot wait to see where it takes me still and how I can show God through it.

You recently went on a mission trip. Where did you go and what brought you there?

I was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with my church youth group. We were there for a week serving in the community helping build, paint, and clean different buildings. These buildings provided different services for the homeless, addicts and a safe place for kids to hang out.

When you were there you suffered a foot injury. How did that happen?

On July 4th we went to Lake Michigan as a day to just relax. We had been there all day and when it was time to leave I stepped on something in the water. At first I thought I just stubbed my foot on something. As I kept walking I felt the water rushing through the cut. My first thought was running and how this would affect my season.

How are you recovering and do you think it will affect your upcoming cross country season?

They took me to the Hospital and I received 8 stitches. The cut was pretty big, and didn’t hit a bone or tendon. The doctor said if you’re going to cut your foot this is the best place to cut it (the arch). I’m kind of proud of the scar. I could have gone home but we still had three more days of work and I wanted to stay with my church. My foot has healed very well and I am working really hard to get back in shape. My recovery has been really slow and I realize this season will not be like other seasons in the past because I did not run for 25 days, even when I did start running my first week I could not go over 16 miles. I know if I start out too much too fast I could get injured with shin splits, tendinitis or stress fractures. I will try to run my best of course.

What are your hopes and goals for this season?

I don’t have any goals or expectations. I’m going to run because that is what I love to do and whatever happens, happens.


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