Positive attitude helps Angie Whalen set priorities

Angie Whalen’s cross country career is about to come full circle.

As a freshman, the Post Falls senior finished third at the 4A state meet at Eagle Island State Park near Boise.

Whalen’s final race will be at the state meets at Eagle Island State Park on Nov. 1.

“My mom and I were talking about that the other day,” she said.

Eagle Island State Park may be the site of arguably the best race of Whalen’s career. She took third in Post Falls’ final year in the 4A classification, finishing the 3.1-mile race in 19 minutes, 5.65 seconds.

“I don’t think I’ve had a better time since then,” Whalen said.

Of course comparing cross country races can be a relative proposition. Some courses are hilly and some are flat.

And whether Whalen tops her personal best time at Eagle Island State Park doesn’t matter. Not anymore. We’ll get back to why running is not a priority anymore in a moment.

Before one puts Whalen back at Eagle Island State Park, though, there is the matter of her qualifying for state. That will take place next week at the 5A Region I meet at Dover Bay near Sandpoint. Whalen has consistently finished fourth behind Kinsey Gomez, of Coeur d’Alene, the defending state champ, and Lake City’s Molly Mitchell and Rhianna Grossman. The top one-third of regional finishers – roughly the top nine – advance to state. So, barring unforeseen occurrences, Whalen should return to Eagle Island State Park.

“It’s my all-time favorite course,” she said.

Whalen would like to take a black permanent marker and blot out what happened her sophomore and junior years at state.

At the 5A state meet her sophomore year in Lewiston, Whalen was projected as a top-five finisher. She was on pace to do so, too, at the 2-mile mark when she passed out. When she came to, she tried to get back up but started to hyperventilate. She doesn’t remember much, but she was taken to the hospital. Fortunately she checked out fine and it was determined she had a virus.

She figures she just went out too fast and got out of her comfort zone.

Then last year at state at Idaho Falls, she had another strange episode near the 2-mile mark. She remembers almost passing out again, but slowed down to walk for a brief period before being able to finish. She took 46th.

“That was not a good race,” Whalen said.

Until recently, she didn’t know where she placed. Nor did she care to know.

So Whalen had some soul-searching to do. She had to determine for her own peace of mind why she was running.

“I’ve finally figured it out,” Whalen said. “I now know running is not my whole life. My priorities have changed since my freshman year.”

She didn’t turn out for track last year because she needed to apply herself more in the classroom.

There was the possibility she might not run this fall. Her coach is glad she came out for her final season.

“She’s probably running a little bit more relaxed than she did last year,” Trojans coach Brian Trefry said. “I don’t think there’s a big difference in her times year over year, but she just seems to be more relaxed as a person and a runner.”

Trefry would have understood had Whalen decided not to turn out. She certainly has enough on her plate these days to keep her busy.

She is the school’s ASB president. Last week was homecoming, and it was chock full of activities.

“As the ASB president, homecoming is the biggest responsibility in the fall,” she said. “I was probably more stressed out over homecoming than I ever have been for a race. I just wanted it to be perfect. I felt like we made a difference. It’ll be memorable for me.”

Why did she want to be the ASB president?

“I really care a lot about our school,” she said. “I just wanted to make a difference.”

With homecoming out of the way, Whalen can focus the rest of the month on cross country.

She won’t get too worked up about it, though. She’d like to finish in the top 20 at state (the top 20 earn medals).

“I didn’t put as many miles in (training) this summer because it hasn’t been my top priority,” she said. “I’m this far into the season, but I’m not thinking about where I place at state. I haven’t had what you’d call a standout race this year. I’m hoping I have my best race at state.

“I’d love to finish in the top 20, but if it doesn’t happen I won’t be devastated. I just want to run as well as I can and whatever happens happens.”

Trefry agrees.

“She’s one of those kids that you count yourself lucky to be a coach,” Trefry said. “It’s been a pleasure watching her change and grow and becoming an adult the last four years. She’ll go on and do some great things in life. She’s tremendously talented. You just hope you put some positives in there for her. But she’s one of those kids who comes with a lot of positives already.”