Northwood’s Bethan Knights looks back over her incredible success this season and acknowledges some of it is still hard for her to believe.
The senior re-wrote the record books and ended her high school career by claiming a state title. She also helped guide the Timberwolves to the best season in school history.
For her accomplishments and leadership, Knights has been selected the Register’s girls cross country Athlete of the Year.
“The award means so much to me and is a great honor because there are so many talented runners in the county that I compete against,” she said. “I was able to achieve even more than I expected from myself.”
Related:
2013 All-County girls cross country team
Girls cross country coach of the year: Charles Gates, Northwood
Knights showed early that she was primed for a big season as she claimed titles at the Laguna Hills Invitational, the Woodbridge Classic and the Bell-Jeff Invitational in Los Angeles.
“My success in each of those races helped my confidence going into the next race,” Knights said.
At the county’s midseason showcase, Knights won the individual title at the Orange County Championships by 20 seconds and the third-best time ever on the modern championships course.
“That was a huge race for me because that was really the one chance to run against the good competition in the county,” Knights said.
Knights won the Division3 sweepstakes race at the Mt. SAC Invitational and then won the Pacific Coast League title.
Her league title was even more gratifying because it served as a catalyst for the Timberwolves to win their first league team title.
Knights returned to Mt.SAC for the CIF-SS Division 3 Finals, where she won the individual title in a time of 16:39, the second-fastest time ever by a county runner, behind former Woodbridge star Christine Babcock‘s 16:38 at the 2007 CIF-SS Finals.
“Christine Babcock is an incredible athlete and it’s unbelievable to have a time comparable to her,” Knights said. “To this day, I still haven’t grasped the level of that achievement.”
Knights also led Northwood to a second-place team finish in Division 3.
She became the first runner in school history to win a state title and her winning time of 17:08 set a Division 3 state meet record.
“I was able to get that good lead and was telling myself to never let up my pace,” Knights said.
She also had the chance to celebrate the Timberwolves’ second-place finish.
“It was special because I love my team and we shared the same passion and desire to win this season,” Knights said.
“Having the team success was the cherry on top of my season.”
Knights was the only county female to compete at the Nike Cross Country Nationals.
She wants to leave a legacy of working hard and never being satisfied.
“I love to run and enjoy the competition,” Knights said.
“I’m always pushing myself to achieve more and do better.”
Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com
