RUNNING INTO HISTORY: Bridget Carius

EAST PEORIA — Bridget Carius, freshman cross country runner at Illinois Central College, didn’t find her true passion until her senior year at Morton High School. She was on the golf team her first three years for Morton and did not partake in cross country. “Senior year I did cross country because a lot of the people on the team convinced me to give it a try,” Carius said.

Carius caught on quick her senior year, receiving first team all-conference honors and finishing with a second place overall finish at the conference meet. Her success carried over to the post-season, with a 6th place overall finish in the Sectional meet. Helping qualify Morton’s cross country team to their first IHSA State appearance in school history, Carius went onto finish 26th at the State Competition.

Later in the year Carius was awarded with the Renee Mahrt Memorial Scholarship Award. The annual award is given to a female student
who has participated
in and demonstrated a commitment to track
or cross country at MHS. She is said to have demonstrated the following attributes
on and off the field: Positive attitude, encouragement of others, charitable, free spirited, a dedicated runner, hard working, compassionate, fun loving, non- judgmental/open-minded and a role model to underclassmen.

Carius continued to pursue her education along with her passion for running by taking her talents to the Cougars team in 2013. “Coach Lewellyn is very supportive and helps direct me towards my goals. He is also very encouraging and a fun coach,” Carius said in regards to coach, Michael Lewellyn.

Carius had many achievements this season including a 1st place finish in the Bradley Pink 6K, with a time of 22:15. She also broke the 5K along with the 6K record at ICC.

But her most recent and arguably greatest accomplishment happened on Oct. 24. She placed 1st in the Regional Competition, earning her a spot in
the NJCAA National Tournament that was held this past Saturday. Check online at iccharbinger.com for the results of that race.

Next season Carius will be returning for the Cougars in her sophomore year with nothing but high expectations. “I plan to work harder in the offseason and try to improve my personal best times. I also would like to recruit more runners on to the team
so they can share this awesome experience that I have had this year running for ICC cross country,” Carius said.

As for going to a four-year university after her sophomore year, Carius says “only time will tell” and that “all she can do is take it one step at a time.”