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She may not be perfect, but she's close.
Lauren Lange, this year's All-Acadiana Cross Counry MVP, is only a sophomore, but her 8th place finish at state earned her a spot on the top of the All-Acadiana team.
Lange's fastest time is 19:41, but beating that time is what keeps this all-star athlete motivated.
"I think the thing I love about cross country is that it makes me push to be better," Lange said. "I really like the competition. I knew cross coutnry was for me when I started breaking 20 minutes and started winning. It's just for me and I really love it."
Lange is also a cheerleader at Erath, and she competes in trampoline-a sport she said helps her prepare for the rigors of cross country.
"It really keeps me in good shape," Lange admitted. "I have to condition myself all year long to compete in trampoline. Three days a week I wake up at 4:30 and run. On the weekends I run longer distances."
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Grant Alexander
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Lange said her father follows her in the car as she tries to set new records. She also said that the trampoline has helped to strengthen her ankles and calf muscles, vital parts for competitive runner.
But surely all this time spent running and jumping has affected her grades, right?
Not a chance.
"I've had a 4.0 since the first grade," Lange said with a smile.
In fact, she was named Student of the Year in Erath when she was in eighth grade. In fifth grade she made it all the way to the state competition.
How does she find time for all of this?
"I guess I just like to stay busy," Lange said with a shrug.
And trampoline has kept her busy indeed. She competes at the Junior Elite level, with aspirations of joining the Senior Elite level and then the Olympic trials. Her former coach, Demitri Pollaroush, competed in the Olympics.
All of her hard work on the trampoline has payed off with round-the-world trips.
"I've been to Russia, Bellarouse and Holland," Lange said. "I got to visit Italy, Paris, London and Belgium."
Not bad for a 16-year-old from Erath.
But her passion for now is running.
"My trampoline coach now (Tara Guidry) is always very interested in how my running is going," Lange said. "She's really happy for me when I do well. Running is my favorite sport right now; I'm just having so much fun competing."
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