Fort Scott runner Jillian Belcher recently completed an interview with VYPE.

VYPE: What are your personal goals for the year?

A few of my personal goals for this year are to go back to state, and prioritize both my physical and mental health, while also maintaining good grades in school.

VYPE: What is your favorite athletic memory?

My favorite athletic memory is when I placed at state in the 4×8, especially with a group I didn’t expect, but my coach’s faith in me made all the difference. It was an amazing experience, proving that belief and determination can truly lead to unexpected success.

VYPE: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why? 

I don’t have a specific teammate, but when I think back on my freshman year, it’s the memories with my 4×8 relay team that really stand out. The trust they placed in me and each other along with their persistent determination left the biggest impression.

VYPE: What is your favorite part of being on this team?

The best part of being on the track team is how we all encourage each other, have fun together, and stay focused on our goals. Seeing everyone working hard is inspiring, and our coaches are so amazing and great role models. 

VYPE: Do you participate in any community service projects?

Right now, I’m not doing community service because my clubs don’t offer it. But we’re thinking about giving out food boxes to senior citizens, which sounds like a great way to help out.

VYPE: What Clubs or Campus groups are you involved with and why?

I’m involved in FBLA for numerous reasons, primarily because it aligns with my passion for business and entrepreneurship. The club provides valuable opportunities to explore these interests further. Additionally, Zero Reasons Why promotes mental health awareness, which is important to me, making it an amazing club to be a part of. Another club I’m part of is Tiger Threads, our school’s very own store. It’s like a mini-business class and a super fun opportunity to learn about running a store while having a great time.

VYPE: What has your sport taught you that you use in your daily life?

Through my experience in track, I’ve come to realize that persistence is key to success, and trusting others plays a crucial role in achieving our goals. Track has taught me that by staying committed and trusting in the support of my teammates and coaches, I can overcome obstacles and reach new heights in both sports and life.

VYPE: What is the best advice that anyone has given you?

The best advice I’ve gotten is to work on stuff like mindset, personality, and how you treat people because those are things nobody can ever take away from you.

VYPE: Who inspires you and why?

My coach, Tracey Bogina, is a huge inspiration to me because she truly sees the potential and goodness in everyone. Although she scared me to death by making me run an 800, it ended up being an amazing moment as it earned me a state medal.

VYPE: Here is your chance to give a shoutout or say thank you to anyone you wish.

I want to give a big thanks to my grandma for teaching me that hard work pays off and for showing me the power of determination. Shoutout to my siblings too, because everything’s a competition with them, and they keep me on my toes. Most importantly I am deeply thankful to God for guiding me on this journey and for blessing me with the strength and opportunities to reach this point