Every year, hundreds of students run the mile in gym class. By the end, all are out of breath and sweating as they cross the finish. Minutes later, jogging stragglers finish, some walking to avoid exhaustion.

Experienced by all students, this test gives barely a glimpse into the perseverance needed to be a distance runner, and a mile is just the brink of a true distance race. However, many people find running to be a lifestyle, enjoying every minute of the journey.

Molly Caruso is a senior who has earned success in both track and cross-country, running both sports throughout her high school career. She committed to running indoor cross country and outdoor track at the University of Nebraska, Omaha.

“I decided to run in college because running is a huge part of my lifestyle. I truly enjoy running even though it’s not always easy,” Caruso said.

Last year, Caruso placed 11th in the open 800, 5th in the 4×800 relay, and 8th in the 4×400 relay at the state track meet.

“Our 4×8 team that Molly was a part of not only made it to state, but we medaled and got 5th at state, which was a huge accomplishment for us. Molly was the first leg of the relay and was able to put us in the perfect position to do that,” teammate and senior Emma Rhode said.

But her success did not happen without trials. During this year’s cross-country season Caruso, like a large number of high school students, experienced an injury that affected her season.

“My senior year of cross country was cut short due to a hurt hip/femur. This taught me that I need to find balance in my life and find other ways to cope,” Caruso said.

Despite this, Caruso has gotten stronger and is preparing for a phenomenal last high school track season. Her coach, Seth Stewart, recognizes the qualities that have enabled Caruso to achieve her goals.

“Her commitment to track is unwavering, her work ethic and unmatched, and her drive is nothing short of impressive. On top of that, Molly is just a really cool person and that makes coaching her a lot of fun,” Stewart said.

Teammate Rhode shares a similar sentiment, saying that Caruso’s dedication to the sport has inspired other runners on the team, including herself.

“Every race she runs, she gives it her all and never leaves anything on the track. I am continuously inspired by how hard she works and how much she’s accomplished,” Rhode said.

Over her time as a runner, Caruso has learned new techniques that have allowed her to achieve personal bests and break school records.

“I have learned so much from my track coach. He has taught me a new kind of running style and allowed me to train for more events. I learned a lot more about the science and mechanics behind running. With the help of Coach Stewart, I have become a much stronger runner,” Caruso said.

Stewart shared that it is rare to see someone with both speed and endurance at the level Molly has achieved, stating that she can succeed at a variety of races ranging from mid-distance to long-distance.

In addition to physical growth as a runner, Caruso has also grown in other areas which have contributed just as much to her success.

“Molly has grown stronger mentally. She is such a student of running that her four years of experience have allowed her to build tenacity, stay composed when things don’t go as planned, and lead our team by setting the highest of standards when it comes to effort each and every day. Molly has the attitude that says to everyone ‘we’re going to enjoy this because this is hard,’ and that’s not an easy mentality to carry, but it certainly provides our entire team with a template for success,” Stewart said.

As she wraps up her last track season and concludes her high school running career, there is no doubt that Caruso will continue to succeed and smash goals as a collegiate athlete.