Trying to get Heather Roeper to slow down, either in running or life, is like trying to stop a landslide.  Ask her what her favorite running memory is, and you’ll get a typically high energy response.  “My best running memory was when I was a sophomore at the Westerville North Invitational,” she begins.  “The night before and that morning it had poured down rain, and the whole course was underwater.  The race was delayed and rerouted in some places and still the whole team ran awesome!  Then, on our cool down, we ran barefoot and went swimming in a field that was totally swamped, and found pet worms named Lenny and Carl.  Mud is our team's favorite thing in the whole world, so we were so happy that day.”  It’s easy to get the impression that the Big Walnut girl’s cross country team is “so happy” more days than not with an irrepressible leader like Heather leading the way.

With the 2005 cross country season just beginning to heat up, Big Walnut cross country coach Steve Tallman looks to his energetic, hard working captain to lead the team.  “Heather has worked hard over the years for us,” says Coach Tallman.  “She will be a great asset to us.” Summertime is when the top cross country runners are separated from the pack,  and Coach reflects that

That determination comes from experiencing the trials of miles that so many distance runners come to understand.  Beginning in 7^th grade when she responded to a flier for her middle school cross country team, Heather has been running through more ups and downs than just the hilly courses that the team trains on during the summer.  “When I was a freshman, running was so natural and I was so fresh to the hard work,” she recalls of the early successes she had in running.  “Then, during my sophomore year, the times started to improve, and I had to work a little harder.  My junior year was a slump year in both cross and track.  I struggled through everything and worked so hard but didn't get anywhere.”  Rather than backing down to a challenge, though, Heather responded with her usual dynamic spirit.  “Finally, this year, I feel so fast and I have worked my butt off all summer and am just looking forward to the end of the season!”  That hard work led to Heather’s PR race in the first meet of the 2005 season, and the goals continue to fall before her.  She isn’t in the least bit shy to reveal that “STATES is my main goal!” and she has the ability and support to make it. 

Like so many other cross country teams, the Big Walnut girls find that sharing the running lifestyle brings them together and forms bonds that only runners can truly understand.  “Our team is frickin' awesome!” Heather proclaims.  “We are absolutely the craziest team ever!  We have some of the best times together and we are really close… We go out to movies - our favorite is March of the Penguins - have sleepovers, talk, eat, dance, pray, run, laugh, work, cry, and so much more.”  A true team player, the Big Walnut captain gushes over her team.  “I don't know what I would do without them.”  Laura Groseclose, one of Heather’s teammates and a close friend, echoes Heather’s sentiments.  “We talk a lot on runs.  We help each other with our problems.  Cross country has brought us so close.”  Running success is measured by more than just the stopwatch, and the memories formed while splashing through the mud puddles of yet another run will remain with Heather, Laura, and the Big Walnut girls for miles to come.  While a future in medicine and a lifetime of running lay ahead for Heather, she lives for the moment and seems to revel in the challenge and fun of building towards a successful culmination of her senior cross country season.  

The Columbus Running Company would like to wish Heather, the Big Walnut girls, and all of the cross country runners out there the best of luck with the 2005 season!!!