Coming in last in the mile when she was in seventh grade motivated Natalie Flippo to never let that happen again.
A junior at Pea Ridge High School, 16-year-old Flippo was recently named to the All-State Cross Country team.
“She’s a hard worker and dedicated,” coach John King said of Flippo. “She eats properly and does her best training even off season.”
Flippo, the daughter of Roxanne Flippo and Michael Enix, both of Pea Ridge, has been running since seventh grade.
This is her first year at Pea Ridge, coming from Green Forest. She recalled being moved up to run with the bigger girls when in ninth grade and coming in last in the mile. “I cried.
I determined to work even harder to not have that happen again.”
Flippo, who said she has problems with blood sugar and passing out, eats nutrient densefoods, lots of fruit and vegetables and whole wheat bread.
“After passing out several times and freaking out my coach and mom,” Flippo said, she determined to improve her diet.
King said runners who finish in the top 10 percent are named to the all-state team.
The Blackhawks boys’ cross country team won state in 1985. Other Blackhawk athletes named all-state in the past include: Jessica Small, 2008;
Colton Holtgrewe, 2009; and Kern Sorrell, mid-1980s.
Sports, Pages 9 on 12/21/2011