Elizabeth Leachman
Samuel V. Champion HS, San Antonio, TX, c/o 2026
AthleticNET

Get to know Q & A

- Your nickname, if any, and how did it come about?

Beth- I’m not really sure where it came from but that’s what my parents call me

- How did you get your start in track and field and/or cross country?

I ran a church 5k with my family in 4th grade and did better than I had expected, giving me some interest in running but I didn’t really start running until 7th grade as a social outlet after Covid.

Me running in middle school

- Your parents' athletic background. Did they play any sports-where(HS, College, Pro), what position, when, any awards?  Please include names.

My Dad swam and wrestled in high school and my mom was team captain of the cross country team at Vanderbilt.

My mom with her dad at a cross country meet

- Any siblings? Please include names and genders and any accomplishments in or out of sport.

Richard: was a wrestler in high school, Benton: was team captain of the baseball team in high school 

- Outside interests- your hobbies, talents(musical, chess, anything), volunteering- what do you do in your free time?

Reading, hiking, cooking, swim team coach, spending time with friends and family

- At school, do you do any extracurricular activities? i.e. student government, clubs or other sports.

NHS, NEHS, SNHS, Autism Speaks, Boerne Buddies, Swim team.

NHS Banquet

- Pre- and post- race rituals. Any superstitions?

If I am able to pick my pre race meal I always opt for sushi and I used to have a million different superstitions but really worked to let them go this year to be more present and enjoy the experience at races and meets

- Movie watcher and/or book reader? What is/are your favorite book and/or movie and why?

Mostly a book reader but kind of both, Favorite book:1984, Favorite movie: Top Gun

- How do you deal with setbacks and triumphs?

I think you have to approach both with humility to stay grounded, when you are at your best place fitness wise you have to love it externally and be able to recognize that it is not guaranteed to happen again and not let it get to your head. When you are performing at your worst level, understanding that no one can perform at their very best forever and taking the highs and lows as they come as well as celebrating the success of those around you is crucial.

- Pet owner? If so, what is your pet's name and type/breed?

Three dogs: Barley- yellow lab, Florita- Black Lab, Brutus- Black lab.

My dog barley

- Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully running collegiately

- What words would you have for your sixth grade self?

Everything happens for a reason. Be patient, good things are coming.

- Who is your favorite track and field athlete and why? How about other sports-who is your favorite athlete and why?

I would have to say Parker Valby as far as track because I find it really inspiring how much success she’s been able to have by following a training plan similar to my own. Outside of track Katie Ledecky and George Springer.

- Favorite hype song, if any, before your competition

It changes all the time but right now I’m loving Paranoid by Kanye West

- Many athletes are quoted as saying " trust the process". What does that mean to you?

I think that it really just means pushing through the good and bad even when the outcome is unclear and trusting that at some point you will come out on the other side of whatever issue you’re dealing with

- How do you balance social media with your performance? Does social media impact you positively or negatively?

I do not have social media so it has little effect, however, unfortunately I do sometimes let external voices get in my head and stop me from competing the way I think is best for me

- Favorite and not favorite high school subject and why?

Definitely math because the answers are a lot more objective 

- Favorite musical artist and why? What is your favorite song by that artist?

I don’t really have one!

- Favorite pre- and post- meal?

Pre- sushi Post- anything and everything.

- Dire question warning :) If you were unable to continue to compete in track and field, what would you do?

I think I would refocus my attention toward another endurance sport like swimming or tennis or maybe just focus on school. 

- What do you see your legacy being-in and outside the track world?

I hope to be seen as hard-working and humble and remembered as someone who was always nice and respectful to the competition no matter how nervous or disappointed I may be.

- What is your vice? What do you binge on that you can't seem to control?

It probably takes me a week to go through a jar of peanut butter single handedly

- If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Hm.. I’m not sure on this one