Now that sophomore Kathryn Ducommun has had a full season of running under her belt, she is ready to have a
In her second season at UH, Kat Ducommun has taken on a leadership position for the women’s team, as she hopes to qualify for the NCAA Championships on Nov. 22 in Terre Haute, Ind. | Courtesy of UH Athletics
bigger role for the women’s cross-country team.
“She’s definitely very talented, and we want to continue to develop her not only as a fast runner but someone we can entrust our program to in a leadership role,” head coach Ryan Turner said.”
It’s been an entirely new experience for Ducommun, who came from Manvel High School, where she played volleyball and ran track.
Last year was her first time training for a whole season, and under the guidance of Turner, she improved throughout the season and quickly became comfortable, acclimating well to the program. Ducommun has become more comfortable with her training and more importantly, the competition.
“My mentality of running has changed,” Ducommun said. “It’s gotten a lot better to the fact that I’m competing way more than I did last year. I’m not new to the game any more so it’s become something I’ve grown to love because I never used to do cross country.
“I feel a lot better with it having some background now. I know the people and the other teams now and it helps me figure out who is going to run the course, who’s running fast or who should I stay with. Some of the courses we ran this year I already ran last year.”
Not only has Turner assisted with her transition, but the team has also helped Ducommun make strides in her training.
“Being able to run with the girls more and training with them has made it a lot easier for me,” Ducommun said. “Last summer, I wasn’t able to train with anybody so now that I am training with them more, it’s a lot better. It’s not easier but I do feel more comfortable.”
This team’s camaraderie gives Ducommun and her teammates confidence in one another, she said.
“The team goal is just to stay with each other on and off the field, coming together and being one as a family and being there for each other,” she said.
Ducommun said the runners are staying together on the field, with no athlete separating too far ahead of the pack on the team.
“We don’t have a lead runner this year, but we’re a strong group so we’re coming as a pack,” she said.
Now that Ducommun has found her place within the program, she has her sights set on bigger things.
“My main goal is to try to make it to nationals this year,” she said. “I just have to keep working harder and getting stronger and staying focused and staying motivated.”
But more than that, she said that she is ready to take on another role within the team.
“My personal goal is to be the best that I can out there in the field,” Ducommun said.
“Have a positive attitude, be a leader and constantly being a role model for other people.”
Ducommun finished in the top 10 at the LSU Tigers Cross Country Festival on Sept. 24. At Saturday’s Disney Cross Country Classic, she placed 31st out of more than 100 runners.
