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Run, Doughty! Run! Tiger senior a cross country, track standout

Times file photo Collin Doughty, a standout distance runner for the Tigers cross country and track teams, plans to major in diagnostic sonography at the University of Rio Grande in addition to continuing his running career.

Collin Doughty

Marietta High

Year: senior

Age: 17

GPA: 3.3

Favorite subject: science

Sports: cross country (4-year letter winner), track and field (junior and senior years), basketball (freshman and sophomore years)

Hgt.: 6-foot-2

XC Achievement: D2 state qualifier as a junior in a regional time of 17:04.01

XC PR: 16:29.27 at 2017 D1 district meet at Watkins Memorial

Other XC times: 16:51.35 at 2017 Pickerington North D1 regional; 17:36.30 at D2 state meet

T&F events: 800, 1600, 4×4 and 4×8 relays

PR T&F times: 4:29 (1600); 1:59 (800)

College: University of Rio Grande, an NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) school.

Major: diagnostic sonography

Family: John and Natalie Doughy (father and mother); Isabelle (sister)

Question: When did you first begin running?

Answer: I ran cross country in the seventh grade to help me get better and in shape for basketball. And, when I got to the eighth grade, I was winning some races and realized that I could be pretty good at this. So, I started to take it more serious. Then, when I became a freshman, I ran varsity cross county and did for the next four years.

Q: You still played basketball, though, in your freshman year?

A: Right and also in my sophomore year. Then, I decided I wanted to focus more on running, so I gave up basketball.

Q: What did your dad think about that?

A: Well, he was an All-Ohioan in basketball in Division IV in high school, and then he went on to play at Muskingum. I think he would’ve liked to have seen me play basketball, but he’s always been supportive in whatever I decided I wanted to do. And, I really enjoyed running, so he didn’t have a problem with it.

Q: And, now you will also be competing next season at the collegiate level — only it’ll be in cross country and track. How did you happen to select Rio Grande?

A: Rio Grande has the diagnostic sonography program that I wanted to go into, and that was definitely one of the things that attracted me to them. It’s a growing field. When I went for my visit and stayed the night there with the team, I just loved the athletes there. I loved Rio. I mean, I loved the campus, and I can just see myself there. I’m looking forward to being a part of the Rio RedStorm. I can’t wait to get to run with them.

Q: During your sports career at Marietta, what would be your highlights?

A: Well, when I was a junior in cross country, I qualified for state in Division II, and that was a really good experience. It was just so great to be there.

This past fall, we ran in Division I, and I PR’d at district with a time of 16:29 to qualify for the regional. Division I was definitely a lot tougher, but it was very beneficial for me to run against some of the top athletes in Ohio and be ready to take it to the collegiate level. I look forward to those challenges.”

What I based my (senior) season off of was that I was going to do better on my time on every course. And, at regional (D1), I ran a significantly better time than I did last year (D2). That was the goal.

Q: What about a track highlight?

A: Last season was my first year running track at Marietta. And, the biggest highlight was running on the 4×4 relay team with Travis Moore, Ben Dehmlow, and Nathan Matthews and breaking the school record in 3:25 flat at the district meet. That got us to the regional.

Q: Have you set any goals for yourself in track this spring?

A: My best time in the mile (1600) is 4:29. And my goal is to get it down near 4:20.

In the 800, my best is 1:59, and I want to run it (800) at district this season, because I didn’t get a chance to do it last year.

Q: Who has impacted your career, inspired you?

A: Coach (Dale) Leeper and my dad, mom, and sister.

Coach Leeper has been with me the whole time in cross country, and has worked with me to excel to the best of my ability.

My dad and I both have that competitive drive, and he, my mom, and sister (Isabelle) have been my main supporters.

Q: What do you off the race course or track? Any hobbies?

A: I still enjoy playing basketball, and will play over at the college with my friends. I just like to hang out with my friends — and of course go out for a run.

Ron Johnston, rjohnston@mariettatimes.com

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