As the 2024-2025 academic season gets underway, we at Milesplit Arkansas want to take the time recognize our seniors who have given so much to our wonderful sport and feature them on our site.
Today, we have Celia Chernota, a senior from Gravette High School to continue our 2024-2025 Senior Spotlights!
Thank you Cutter for taking the time to answer some questions for the website! For those interested in participating in this year's senior spotlight, please check out this article!
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1) Where are you from and when did you first start running?
I am from Baton Rouge Louisiana and I first started running cross country in 8th grade. However, my passion for running started in 4th grade.
2) So far in your high school career, what is the most memorable running memory that you have?
So far in my high school career, my most memorable running memory that I have has got to be winning state. I have so many amazing memories with my individual races, team races, and team bonding in general, but something I will always be able to describe would be when we won the state championship for the first time in 2022.
3) What has been the most difficult workout you've run during your running career?
The hardest workout that I have ever done has got to be this crazy steep hill with constant repeats at my race pace, but running multiple 400 repeats until I can't keep going, and I mean fast fast 400s, has got to be one of the hardest workouts I've done.
4) Who are some of your greatest competitors you have raced throughout your career?
My greatest competitor throughout my running career was one of my teammates a few years back, we had the teammate bond so we were encouraging to one another but we also raced each other which was super fun. Other teams too have been great competitors as well, honestly to me I find everyone as a competitor and I just pick one pass one.
5) What were some of the most difficult obstacles that you have faced during your career?
Thankfully, I've never gotten super hurt to the point where I couldn't run for a long amount of time. My most difficult obstacle ever was my mind, as much as this sport is physically demanding it is also very mentally demanding, that was something I had to overcome and it definitely was not the easiest thing to do.
6) What will you miss most about high school running?
My team. I have thought about this before, sometimes I just wish I could have Coach Weller as my coach forever and my girls by my side. I am going to miss everything about my team and our bond. This goes as far as hangouts, bus rides, before and after season parties, even the guys, I will definitely most miss the team and my coach.
7) What advice would you give to a rising freshman competing in their first high school season in 2024/2025?
Whatever you do. Do not let your mind beat you. I would say you absolutely have to trust the process, your coach, your team, and your training. I would also tell a rising freshman to not be scared to be uncomfortable!! Never settle for less and stay in the sport! I know it can get mentally challenging, but you can overcome it, and once you do it's the best feeling ever.
8) Who are some people you would like to thank for your success in high school?
100% my first thank you's would be to Coach Hardgrave and Weller. They both got me into the sport and I honestly don't know where I would be if Coach Weller never started coaching us. I also want to thank my dad and my brother. My dad got me into running and this sport has made me into who I am today. My brother, Paxon, I got him to start in the sport and he's one of my best friends, he makes races and practices super fun and it's just super special to be in a sport with him. And then of course my team, they have helped me through things when I needed them and are always super encouraging.
9) XC or Track?
All the way cross country. There is no debate. I love the atmosphere of track but I love everything about cross country.
10) Hobbies outside of running:
11) Favorite sports team:
LSU!!
12) Who is your role model?
My dad. My dad is one of my best friends and he gives me the best advice, I can always count on him no matter what. He is definitely one of my favorite people.
13) Favorite Movie:
My brother is going to say I stole this from him but Steve Prefontaine is so good and of course I love "how to lose a guy in ten days"
14) Favorite Song/Artist/Music:
I like rap, alternative, some country, sza.
15) If you could have one super power, what would it be and why:
I really think I would just want to read people's minds. That sounds so nosey but I want to know what people are thinking in certain situations like it would just be so interesting to me.
