By Sabrina Stacks
Sports Reporter
Among the best runners in the state, juniors Rebecca Grusby and Lizzie Walkes are well known for their outstanding performances on the girls’ track and field team, but many students are quite unfamiliar with who they are as people.
Rebecca, a distance runner, and Lizzie, a sprinter, are best friends who have competed multiple times at nationals, been named Dual County League All Stars, and set racing records all over the state. Ironically, these young ladies happen to be two of the most humble students at Newton South, according to their peers.
“Rebecca won’t admit that she’s an amazing runner,” said sophomore cross country teammate Alana Bojar. “Even when she smashes a school record, she won’t treat her success as if it is greater than anyone else’s.”
Friends say the same about Walkes.
“One would never know from talking to her that Lizzie is one of the most prestigious athletes in the state,” said sophomore track and field teammate Allie Arruda. “She’s unbelievably modest and that quality overrides any record.”
Walkes and Grusby agree that it is not their conscious choice to keep quiet about success; rather, they make an effort not to brag or stand out from the team.
“If people ask me how the season is going or how a meet went, I’ll tell them. But, if people aren’t very interested in the topic, I don’t see the point,” Walkes said.
While many agree that the two aren’t the most outspoken of all people, teammates do attest to their extraordinary leadership abilities.
“Rebecca constantly checks in with us on how we are feeling. If we admit to her that we are injured or sick, she will take the initiative to tell coach when we lack the courage,” sophomore Clare Martin said. “Her leadership on the team has bloomed this year and I know she will make a great captain next year for cross-country.”
Both Bojar and Arruda note that Lizzie has similar leadership abilities.
“Lizzie always knows what she is doing and is consistently willing to help when asked,” Bojar said. “If she sees someone struggling in a race, at a practice, or even in the hallway, she will lend a hand right away.”
“Even after Lizzie has competed in three consecutive events, she congratulates everyone on their performances, even if she is completely out of breath and exhausted,” Arruda said. “A simple smile and personalized ‘hi’ from Lizzie Walkes can make anyone’s day; it lets people know that she genuinely cares about them.”
Outside of running, the two enjoy teaching each other new skills while working on mastering their own.
“I’ve been teaching Rebecca how to juggle, and she’s been teaching me how to yo-yo, but I’m not very good,” said Walkes.
Grusby notes that her ambition for running differs from what her peers may think.
“I think that students at South may misunderstand my motivation for running. I’m not that into the training and workouts, rather I run because I like to compete,” said Grusby.
“Rebecca runs because she enjoys it, not because she wants to demonstrate that she is fast. She yo-yos in the hallways not to show off, but because it pleases her,” Martin said. “I respect her immensely because she follows her own path, making decisions influenced by none other than herself.”
Besides being great teammates, Lizzie and Rebecca are wonderful friends–to their peers and to each other, according to their teammates. Two out of three seasons are spent together- both indoor and outdoor track- and in the fall, they actively support each other in their separate athletics.
At cross country meets, which could be hours away, many noticed Lizzie cheering on her best friend. Likewise, the soccer team would frequently see Rebecca standing on the sidelines supporting Lizzie and the team.
“During indoor and outdoor track, they’re always watching each others’ races and cheering each other on. In school, I’ll walk by and see them having lunch or going to class together and laughing; their friendship is truly one of a kind,” said junior Caraline Pham.
“Lizzie and I have developed an incredible friendship, partially due to track and field,” Grusby said. “I know she’ll always be rooting for me when I’m running the mile and likewise, I’ll be cheering her on as she sprints through the finish line. I guess you could say we’ve got a pretty special friendship.”
