Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Kristin Greenwood

Each week, Marple Newtown Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. This week we highlight Kristin Greenwood, a senior at Episcopal Academy, for her achievements as a cross country and track super athlete.

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Kristin Greenwood

Whiz Kid's Age: 18

Whiz Kid's School:

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Kristin is captain for Episcopal Academy's (EA) cross country team and co-captain for spring and winter track. This year, Kristin was inducted into the Delaware County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame at its fall student-athlete luncheon in early December for her accomplishments as a cross country runner.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Her first time being recognized outside the EA community, Kristin stays humble and says the talent runs in the family, quite literally.

"It runs in the family," shares Kristin. "My dad ran in college and my older brother is a sophomore in college was a soccer player, so I always liked running."

One of Kristin's first memories of running at EA, and perhaps one of her most pivotal, was not when she joined track or cross country but when she decided to play for EA's field hockey team.

"I remember when I was in sixth grade, we would have to run a timed mile for field hockey–I wasn't the best at field hockey–but I could keep up with the eighth graders and thought I was pretty cool and went for it in the eighth grade," remembers Kristin. "I wasn't sure if I could do it but I guess I knew then that this was the sport I wanted to play. My favorite part of field hockey was running."

And so, Kristin pursued track and cross country and joined EA's running teams her freshman year. Some of her earlier memories of running date back to when she was in sixth or seventh grade and had participated in a few road races with her parents.

But one of her most memorable races in her career thus far was her race on Halloween.

"It was on Halloween–on the day it was snowing and sleeting and we ran through it–and it was exciting and fun. I cam in third that race," says Kristin.

Another memorable moment for her was when the team beat their long-time rival Agnes Irwin on EA/AI/Haverford Day.

"We never beat Agnes Irwin and I won that race so that was really exciting," says Kristin. "We've been looking forward to that for the past four years. It was the first time we've ever beaten them head to head."

Though running can be tough, especially in the last neck of the race, Kristin says she keeps this in mind when she wants to throw in the towel: "One step closer, one step closer." 

"I tune everyone out and I just focus at the finish line ahead," shares Kristin. "The nice thing about running is that you get exactly what you put into it. If you give your 100 percent, you'll love it especially if you try your hardest."

Some of her favorite places to run is at Belmont Park in Philadelphia and Valley Forge National Park. And if she isn't running, you can find Kristin working at the school's newspaper (she's the news editor), at co-counseling or leadership council.

A long-term goal of hers is to run in the NCAA Division III Championship and her short-term goal for now is to qualify for states for winter track (she previously qualified for spring track and cross country).

Though she'll miss her teachers, friends and coaches at EA, Kristin admits she's excited to start college in a new city to explore, away from the Main Line area. The senior just found out earlier this week that she was accepted to play for the University of Chicago's cross country team next fall. Kristin will be running for the school in the mile, 5K and 3,000 meters.

Regardless of where life may take her, Kristin says, "I can't imagine not running. I'll definitely continue as long as I can."

Editor's note: Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout or did your local soccer team take the championship? They may be our next Patch Whiz Kid honoree. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid. Send nominations to jennifer.kim@patch.com.