By:Laura Lane
Her axiety quickly disappeared. Koch was asked to join the 40-member New York state track and field team that will compete in the Down Under International Games in Australia this July. The 15-year-old was ecstatic to learn the news.
Koch runs indoor and outdoor track at Calhoun. She-s athletic, taking part in soccer in the fall, basketball and track in the winter, and track in the spring. She's considered Calhoun's fastest girl.
Koch loves track. I really like the competition and the adrenalin rush I feel, she said. I like it because it-s a more individual sport.
Koch hadn't heard of the coach who contacted her to take part in the Down Under International Games. She was invited to the competition based on her amazing race times, which are posted on the Internet. She-s now waiting to hear which races she-ll run in Australia against teenagers her age from the U.S. and the Land of Oz.
The youngest of three girls, Koch grew up rooting for her sisters, Wendy, now 25, and Tammy, 18. One reason why I went into [track] was because I was always at their meets, said Koch. Tammy is running in college, and Wendy, who is in medical school, got a scholarship for soccer.
Running suited Koch from the start. In eighth grade at Merrick Avenue Middle School, she was awarded Most Valuable Player after going undefeated. As a freshman at Calhoun, she was awarded All-County honors in track. And, this year, she qualified to run in the New York State Indoor High School Track Championship.
Koch-s mother, Nancy, said she-s seen her daughter change after starting to run. I saw growth once she did this. Being in track gave her confidence, she said. When you-re on the track, it-s just you.
Koch trains two hours a day. Then she heads home and hits the books. Koch has made the honor roll every quarter since she began at Calhoun. I think I-ve gained determination from running, and it-s helped me academically, said Koch. I don-t like to lose, and I think I bring this to my schoolwork.
These days, when she isn-t training or studying, Koch is working to raise the $3,500 she needs to compete in Australia. She-s been looking for sponsors, asking friends and family members. Koch said many teachers in school have contributed to her cause. The teachers always ask me how I'm doing and when my next track meet is. They-re always interested, said Koch.
At this point, Koch isn-t sure what career she-ll pursue. I have a lot of ideas of what I want to do, she said. I like painting and photography, and next year, I-m going to take sculpture and advertising and design classes. But I-m also looking to get a [track] scholarship."
Koch believes running has offered her more than she expected. Running has given me independence. I think I-ve become my own person," she said.
To sponsor Tracy Koch, make checks payable to "International Sports Specialists, Inc." and send them to: Tracy Koch, 1782 Harvard Ave., Merrick, N. Y. 11566.
