Transitioning from high school sports to the collegiate level can be difficult.
Kira MacGill is making it look easy. She is a freshman from Littleton, CO, who has been running for six years. Participating in cross county since she was a freshman and joining track the following year.
She originally started running to stay in shape for soccer. That was where she discovered a new passion.
“I love it. For a while, I got caught up in realizing that I was good, and it got to the point that I was defining myself by my running. So, I had to realize that I do this because I love it. I want to be better because it’s what I like to do,” said MacGill.
Colorado Mesa University (CMU) Cross Country Head Coach, Tim Reetz, spoke on how MacGill came in with many accomplishments already. Having won the state championship with her team for cross country, and qualifying multiple times for both cross country and track.
“She’s a badass. You knew very quickly. Her mindset, her easy going nature of workouts. They’re super hard, but she just kinda laughs them off and is very free-spirited. And she just attacks every workout.” Reetz said
Lindsay Parsons, a senior, has known MacGill since 2016. Parsons watched MacGill grow, from a freshman in high school to a freshman in college, both as a person and an athlete. Driving her to practice and hanging out with her on and off the track field.
“She’s a pretty confident runner, spunky would be a good word for her, good energy, and she always makes sure we’re not overthinking too much. Since she’s already starting off strong it will really benefit her in the next few years and I really admire her for what she’s doing,” Parsons said.
There are multiple people standing in MacGill’s corner and she is proving why.
On September 18, the Mountaineer Cowboy Invitational was hosted in Gunnison, Colo. MacGill placed seventh for the Maverick’s women’s team.
“I’m honestly just super proud, not just as a teammate but as a friend,” Parsons said.
Ashlynn Squires is another freshman runner. MacGill and Squires have become closer faster than they thought possible. They both were in a hurry to look for a roommate after unexpected changes. Squires says she enjoys being with MacGill and spoke on her view of the race.
“Just watching her, she seemed relaxed and in control the whole time. It was just cool to see, because she was in a group of Western people, and she was just separating people,” said Squires.
Reetz also discussed his view on the race and how MacGill performed.
“For her to take seventh is outstanding. She beat All Americans in the race and she’s a freshman.” Reetz said.
As MacGill continues to earn the praise she is given she also talked about how she was nervous to even join.
“At first it was a really daunting idea. I wasn’t really sure that I even wanted to run, or that I could even do that,” said MacGill.
A scary thought to run in college very quickly became one of the best decisions.
“We’re just like a little family unit. Everyone kinda has their own personality that makes the team that much better,” Macgill said
Trust your training. This was MacGill’s biggest lesson.
The Maverick’s next meet is Oct. 10 at 10:45 A.M. as they host the Maverick Invitational at Lincoln Park in Grand Junction, Colo.
