Holy Trinity (Florida) Freshman Julie Wollrath enters her first year of High School as a highly touted distance runner under the tutelage of a Coach that knows a thing or two about about producing stellar distance runners.  Earlier this month, Coach Butler from Holy Trinity shared a common trait amongst his great distance runners - a particular disdain for losing that drives them on and off the course and his latest protégé is a prime example.

Julie is defining her own path of greatness after 2 years of constant improvement and is amongst one of the best, if not the best, age-grouped distance runners in the nation.  Julie is highly expected to be near the front of the elite harriers in the Sunshine State garnering national recognition as the top ranked runner in John Dey's FAB 5 pre-season all-classification rankings (Video).  

With the 2011 cross country season set to begin in the next few days, I caught up with Julie during her first week back at school after the summer recess.

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DoctorBob:  Julie, can you let us know what you have been up to since track season ended?   

Julie: This Summer I‘ve had so much fun hanging out with my friends and teammates.  It was great going to Warrior Running Camp with the team.

DoctorBob: It wasn't all that long ago that you won the Deland Invitational as a 7th Grader ( 2 years ago)  and put the State on notice that you were a serious talent.   How have you grown as a runner, competitor and person since that first season at Holy Trinity?

Julie: Over the last two years at Holy Trinity I definitely have gained experience and have become more confident as a runner.

DoctorBob:  In talking with Coach Butler, it seems the Girls team lost a lot of experience due to graduation along with the Smith sisters, Sydney and Shelby moving out of State, that it may indeed be a rebuilding year.  How is the team preparing to make the best of this Cross-Country season?

Julie:  We definitely lost some great girls from last season but we still feel that if we work hard and each of us runs our best at States we can still be on top.

DoctorBob:  Kayla Hale set the bar incredibly high for future harriers at Holy Trinity both personally and competitively winning 4 consecutive State Cross-Country Championships along with State Track titles and numerous accolades along the way.  As you embark upon your High School career, how do you envision your High School career unfolding over the next few years?

Julie:  As team hopefully we’ll win a couple more state titles. As an individual I hope to see my times keep dropping so that eventually I break 17:00 one day and win a State title.

DoctorBob:  As a huge fan of the Foot Locker experience, what are your thoughts on possibly competing at McAlpine this year?

Julie:  This year I am really excited about the chance to compete at McAlpine.  Shelby has told me a lot about it and it seems like an amazing experience.

DoctorBob:  The running world needs positive role models, mentors and competitors passionate about the sport of long distance running.  What motivates you day in and day out?

Julie:  The thing that probably motivates me the most is standing on the top of the State podium with my team and coach.

DoctorBob:  Brevard County is awash with running talent and your main competitor at the front of the pack is Shelby Davidson from Cocoa Beach who is also a good friend and training partner during the off-season.  How has that relationship aided in your development.

Julie: Shelby and I have become really close friends this year. We always motivate and push each other to run faster so without her I wouldn’t be the runner I am today.

 DoctorBob:  Ok, enough serious questions.  What do you like to do outside of running?

Julie:   Outside of running I like to go to the beach and hangout with friends.

DoctorBob:  I'm a firm believer in the old adage that "music soothes the savage beast" so what's on your IPod nowadays?   

Julie:   There is just a bunch of random music on my iPod but my favorite music to listen to is the artist Bon Iver.

DoctorBob:  Coach Butler is really big on running movies, especially during those long road trips, so I'm sure you have a favorite or two?  

Julie:  Even though this movie is very over played on the bus, my favorite running road trip movie is "Zoolander".

PR's:

800:  2:20.37

1600:  4:58.24

3200: 10:47.64

5000:  17:20.16 (Track)

Photo Credit:  Sherri Enders.  View her Gallery at :

(sherri-enders.smugmug.com)

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More Julie Wollrath:

2011 Holy Trinity Running Zone All-Star Showdown Interview

2010 Wickham Park Jamboree Interview

2009 Deland Invitational Interview