Wichita Northwest cross country runner Lexi Wimberly recently interviewed with VYPE to tell us more about who she is.
VYPE: What are your personal goals for the year?
I have many personal goals for the year, and one of them is to improve my 5k pr this season, and to commit to a college team. Last season I was coming off a torn ACL and didn’t have high expectations for the season. I ended up running a 22:17 minute 5k surpassing my previous pr by a minute. This season I am stronger than ever and I’m determined to at least get a 21:00 minute 5k if not faster than that. Another personal goal that I have for this year is to graduate top 10% of my class and have the same gpa I finished last school year with. I pride myself on my gpa and how hard I’ve worked to be a successful student. One last personal goal that I have for myself is to be committed to a college by November. I know that I would love to run at the next level and I’m excited to see where I end up next year.
VYPE: What is the most fun you have had in the last year?
The most fun I’ve had in the past year has been hanging out with my teammates. Our team is like a big family, we hang out all the time whether it’s a game of tag at Pawnee Prairie or a game of ultimate frisbee. When we are all together we have so much fun.
VYPE: Who is your favorite teacher from any grade, and why?
My favorite teacher is my coach Daniel Herbert. He was my honors English teacher junior year. He pushes me to be a better student and athlete. I always know I can go to him when something is wrong and he will always be there. He isn’t just a teacher or a coach he is someone who will take time to get to know you and truly be a good friend.
VYPE: What is your favorite athletic memory?
My favorite athletic memory was in 2022 cross country season, and we had a meet at Trinity Academy. It was a huge meet. We were competing against some of the best teams in the region. I remember being so nervous for that meet for some reason. As soon as the gun blew for the start of the race I sprinted out. I felt so good the entire race, like I could run forever and wasn’t tired at all. I kept passing more and more runners and kept pushing to the next person in front of me. As I finished my best friend told me my time and I was shocked I had just ran a 22:17 minute 5k my first time running a sub 23:00 minute 5k. A few moments later my coach ran out to me and said that I medaled. I was so overwhelmed with excitement I had just gotten a new pr and medaled against some of the hardest teams in the region. This was the best athletic memory I’ve had.
VYPE: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?
The team mate who has left the biggest impression on me is my best friend Sydnee Gardner. She is sophomore at Tabor college this year. We would always run together at practices, we never really talked while running but just running together was all we needed. She was always there for me, encouraging me when I was nervous before a race. Seeing her running at the next level showed me that I could do that as well and she is a huge role model in my life.
VYPE: What is your favorite part of being on this team?
My favorite part about being on my team is getting to encourage and really be apart of my teammates lives. Getting to laugh and have fun with them is what I look forward to everyday. Also we all experience the same things, the highs and lows of our sport. It’s the never ending positivity and encouragement from everyone that really makes this team a family and that’s my favorite part about being on this team.
VYPE: You can pick any place for a summer vacation. Where do you go, and who do you take with you?
If I could go anywhere in the world for vacation I think it would be the Bahamas because I’ve always wanted to go there and I love the ocean and I’ve heard so many great things about that place. I would choose to take my family because they support me in everything and are there for me no matter what.
VYPE: If we gave you $500 and you had to spend it in the next 24 hours, what would you spend it on?
If I was given $500 and had to spend it within the next 24 hours I would spend it on going to an amusement park because I love the environment of those places. It makes me feel like a kid again. Like there’s nothing to worry about in life, no stress.
VYPE: What Clubs or Campus groups are you involved with and why?
I’ve been invited to join the National Honors Society, and I’m planning on joining it. Last year I was invited to WSU for being top 10% of my class and got an award called the Wichita State Shocker Honor Scholar. This was a huge accomplishment because I had worked so hard to excel in school and was finally being rewarded for it.
