Courier-Journal
November 5, 2004

by Nathan Chambers

 

 

 

Q&A | Assumption's Nicole Haworth

 

Assumption senior Nicole Haworth, 17, finished 25th in the Class AAA state cross country meet last year and was part of the 3,200-meter relay team that placed second in the Class AAA state track meet in June. She recently spoke with The Courier-Journal's Nathan Chambers.

C-J: You were 36th in the state cross country meet as a freshman but fell to 79th the following year. What happened?

Haworth: Sophomore year was not a good year for me. One of the reasons probably was because we got about three good freshmen and another girl in my grade that stepped up a lot, and I didn't feel like I could

"It's been interesting to see her grow from the young, upstart leader into the big sister. It's been a neat path to observe as a dad and as a coach," said Barry Haworth, father and Assumption coach, about daughter Nicole.

By Jamie Rhodes. special to the C-J;

do that well. I also wasn't getting enough iron, and I was really tired all the time.

C-J: How did you turn it around?

Haworth: I had a pretty good track season (sophomore year), and I went into junior year not wanting another bad (cross country) season. I was motivated to do better.

C-J: What do you hope to accomplish the rest of this season?

Haworth: My goal for state is to get in the top 15. Everyone in the top 15 gets a medal.

C-J: Do you feel any pressure with your father as the coach?

Haworth: I think I feel a little more pressure than the other girls because I have to ride with him to meets, and I'm with him all the time. He always tells me how I have to have a good race.

C-J: What do you like to do outside of school and athletics?

Text Box: HAWORTH CLOSE UP Year: Senior. Sports: Cross country and track. Family Her parents are Barry Haworth, who is Assumption's cross country coach and an assistant professor of economics at the University of Louisville, and Renee Alarcon. She has an older brother, Michael, who runs at Centre College, and two younger sisters, Moriah and Rebekah. Student-athlete facts Haworth has competed at the state cross country and track meets three times each, including as an eighth-grader on Male's 3,200-meter relay team in 2001. She has a 3.5 grade-point average.

Haworth: I just started working at Fleet Feet (Sports) in July. We would go in there a lot, and my dad knew the Esteses (co-owners Jim and Camille Estes). I needed a job, and since we talk to them a lot, I contacted Camille and asked her if they had any job openings. Plus, I knew a lot of the employees.

C-J: In your opinion, how important was this week's election?

Haworth: It's basically as important as any election because you're deciding who's going to lead your country.