Running is where Bach belongs

MARION - The start of the finish line is right in front of her. She steps out with one foot, ready to pounce and win this race.

Maddie Bach, a senior at Marion High School, runs cross country and has just won the title of Wamac Conference champion. This is only the beginning of it, though. She still has another big meet to prepare for, in hopes of going to state and running the fastest she's ever ran.

Bach has been running since the age of two on regular basis, and when she was four years old she started to run races.

'I really started to take it more seriously in eighth grade, though,” Bach said.

She runs cross country and track, but loves cross country more than anything.

'Our team is really close and I like the distance better,” Bach said. 'I also like how there is only one race to run, rather than more than one in track. And it's the best time of year to run.”

At the Wamac Conference meet on Oct. 15, Bach ran an amazing race.

'Winning first was great,” Bach said. 'I honestly didn't expect it to go that well, because I was suffering from illness, but I was really happy because there are so many other good runners I was going up against.”

After the conference race, Bach focused on the regionals, where she also won the individual title and helped the Indians qualify for state as a team.

'All in all I feel confident about districts, Davenport Assumption and Fort Madison have great runners on their teams, but I think it will go great.” Bach said before the race.

When Bach was a freshman, she placed 13th in regionals, missing state by a few seconds. When she was a sophomore, though, she ended up placing fifth in regionals and was only a few seconds from first place. Last year at regionals, Bach placed second.

'I am really confident in myself and in my team to compete.” Bach said with a smile before regionals.

She knows things will be even tougher at the state meet Saturday in Fort Dodge.

'I think we all have high expectations for ourselves individually and as a team.” Bach said.

Running has been an amazing place for Bach to turn to whenever she feels the need.

'It's a stress reliever and it really gets me motivated,” she said. 'It makes me realize what I want to accomplish and it's been great meeting so many new friends because of running.

'I feel so welcome while being on the cross country team, and just running in general. I know this is where I belong.”