“Push yourself and you will improve.  Don't let anybody tell you you can't do something.  Prove them wrong.” 

PR’s:   800m – 2:20   1600m – 5:12   5k XC – 19:04 

  On one of those perfect late summer afternoons, Chelsea France is out doing what she does best; the Coffman senior is out running.  It’s a Sunday several weeks into the season, and there’s no official team practice to speak of.  The sun shines down but there’s a hint of autumn chill in the air.  It feels like cross country season outside.  Ever the competitor, Chelsea is using the afternoon to log those extra miles that have separated her from the competition over her four years of training and racing in central Ohio.
   For those who’ve followed Ohio high school cross country for the past decade, it’s no surprise to hear that Chelsea’s Coffman team is in the running for a berth in the state meet.  They’ve made the trip to Scioto Downs every year for over a decade now.  For those who’ve watched the Coffman team, though, the number one runner on that squad is a surprise.  A 24:18 5k runner when she first laced up her spikes for Coffman, Chelsea is no longer a mid-pack runner lost amidst a talented roster.  No, today hard training has turned her into one of the toughest number one girls on any squad in the region. 
   “It gives you a sense of commitment and pride to compete for the team and continue the tradition,” the senior captain says of being a part of the Coffman legacy and the way that tradition pushes her to succeed.  All it takes for anyone to compete on a team like DCHS is to “work hard in the off season and eat White Castles,” says Chelsea.  That’s a kind of girl with CRC-style priorities. 
    Back when Chelsea began running track in seventh grade at Karrer Middle School, there were few who could’ve predicted her meteoric rise to the top of the local high school XC ranks within just a few brief years.  “My parents and my coach encouraged me to run,” she says of her decision to later go out for cross country.  At Coffman as an underclassmen, her teammates, “were competitors and they pushed me to improve in practice.”  That competitiveness drove Chelsea to dream big and train hard to match her teammates on the course.  Steadily, that 24 minute 5k time began to drop.
   There are many runners who write successful racers off as being more talented than they are.  For that matter, there are plenty of talented runners who hold back in training to let their natural abilities carry them.  Runners like Chelsea eat both of these kinds of competitors alive out on the cross country course.  “Push yourself and you will improve,” she says.  “Don't let anybody tell you you can't do something.  Prove them wrong.”  Through a steady diet of “mostly distance and interval training,” Chelsea has proven any naysayers wrong.  At the end of her junior year, as the part of a loaded roster, she emerged as a strong number one runner at the end of the year and a surprise threat in the region.  Now, after another year of hard training, senior year is looking bright.  
   With the girls off to a strong start despite the loss of several varsity runners to graduation, Chelsea has been on a tear.  Runner-up at the Pickerington XC Classic and fourth at the Westerville Classic, Chelsea has kick started her senior season by racing with the state’s best.  Achieving big results at regular season invitationals is only a start to the year though.  Chelsea has her eye on another trip to Scioto Downs for the state meet.  “The rush of the crowd and the noise is amazing,” she says of racing in the championship race.  “It is also fun to see the wild outfits of the fans,” she adds, noting the wild team spirit on display at a peak for the state meet. 
   Chelsea’s greatest running memory thus far comes from the state meet.  “My first year at states in XC when my father and I prayed before I took the course,” was the moment that sticks with her above all else and made a huge impact on the young runner.  But then, family has always played a major role for Chelsea.  “I know they support me no matter what and it is comforting, encouraging and helps me be my best.”  Now she’s hoping to add to her family memories with another run at Scioto Downs. 
   The National Honor Society student isn’t about to hang up her spikes after the end of her senior season though.  There are plenty of goals to chase long after that finish line.  After cross country, first she has a major track season ahead.  Last year, her 4x800m relay qualified on to the state meet, and Chelsea just missed a qualification in the 1600m.  She’ll be looking to avenge that loss before heading off to college next fall.  Deep into the college search, she’s still looking for “a school with good coaching and a competitive drive to be the best.”  Obviously, running is playing a role in her post-high school life. 

Thanks to Chelsea for the great interview. Good luck at the meets!

Coaches/Parents - Do you have any standout athletes that go the extra mile?  Spotlight them at the Columbus Running Company!  During the season, we will periodically showcase athletes in our high school section within the store and on this webpage.  Nominations can be taken through our Contact Us page, through info@columbusrunning.com, or by simply giving us a call.  We will then briefly interview you and the selected athlete. 

Nominations do not have to be the fastest athletes - nominate those who demonstrate qualities such as a strong work ethic or leadership skills or have something unique that sets them apart.  

The sport of running is a great one.  We'd like to help glamorize it in the eyes of the youth who are the future of running.  These athletes deserve recognition!

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