ROCKINGHAM — Leading the Richmond Senior High School girls’ cross country team in its biggest meet of the season, one Lady Raider ran away with this week’s recognition by The Richmond Observer.
Junior Emely Valencia has been named the Official Richmond County Female Student-Athlete of the Week presented by Mabry’s Drug & Home Care.
Participating in cross country for the first time this season, Valencia was the first Lady Raider to cross the finish line during last Wednesday’s Mid-South Conference championship run.
Proving to be one of Richmond’s fastest and most consistent runners this season, Valencia earned her first career recognition.
Athletic Profile - Emely Valencia
Year: Junior
Fall sport: Cross Country
Position: No. 1 Runner
Varsity Experience: 1 season
“CLASSROOM CREDITS” WITH EMELY VALENCIA
At the halfway point of the fall semester, Valencia has spent a lot of time making sure she’s on pace with her schoolwork, as well as her progression on the cross country course.
A student at Richmond Early College, Valencia is benefitting in the classroom by taking three college courses and one high school class. This fall she’s taking Drama 111, English 111 and Spanish 111.
Valencia’s lone high school class is Math 3 Honors. She said a perk of taking so many college classes while in high school is getting the chance to earn college credits ahead of her high school graduation, which she can use later for college.
At the start of the semester, Valencia had a 3.88 weighted grade point average. Following high school, Valencia hopes to student at UNC Chapel Hill and become an x-ray technician.
“ON PACE” WITH EMELY VALENCIA
The Lady Raider cross country team, as well as the Raider cross country team, ran in the MSC championship meet. The 3-mile run was hosted by Pinecrest High School.
Although the Lady Raiders finished fifth out of the six teams competing, Valencia had a strong outing for Richmond.
She was at the front of Richmond’s pack, placing 21st overall out of 41 runners. She was 18th amongst runners qualifying for points with a time of 24:10.86.
That time was her second fastest this season, just behind her personal record set earlier this month (23:55.29).
Richmond’s cross country teams will compete in the NCHSAA 7A Central regional championship run Saturday. The races will be held at the WakeMed Soccer Complex in Cary.
“RAPID RESPONSE VIDEO” WITH EMELY VALENCIA
The Richmond Observer will publish its Official Richmond County Male Student-Athlete of the Week soon.
