Alabama Cross Country Q&A: Caroline Barlow
9/19/2017 11:23:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Caroline Barlow is the captain of this year's Alabama women's cross country team. The senior from Naples, Fla., has been a member of the Crimson Tide's NCAA regional squads in each of her first three years at the Capstone. Barlow and her teammates will be in action again on Sept. 29 at Notre Dame's Joe Piane Invitational in South Bend, Ind.
As captain, how do you go about rallying the team for each meet?
Caroline Barlow: "I just try and bring a positive mindset and kind of lead by example, and try to give them little pep talks. We do this thing on our team where we have little sisters and we write each other motivational notes before every meet, so that always kind of helps get everyone excited and ready to go."
What's different about the team mentality this year compared to last year?
CB: "This year we've really come together and learned how to work as one, and push each other in practices through hard workouts and motivate each other rather than compete all the time. We're doing a better job at pushing to make us all reach a higher level."
What are your goals for the team this season?
CB: "We've had the same goal for a few years. We really want to make nationals, and we've been so close every year, but I think we've got a great chance this year. We have to be second in the region or get an at-large bid."
What are your goals for yourself this season?
CB: "I would really like to improve my times obviously, and then help by placing higher at each meet, just help lead everyone. I would like to put myself in a position to qualify for nationals individually. I don't know how realistic that is, but I know we can do it as a team, so that's probably the biggest goal."
How important is each practice moving towards these meets?
CB: "They're really important. You can just tell – it simulates the races – so being able to put in a good practice helps you know that you're going to be in a good place at race time."
Is there a specific team or runner you're looking forward to running against?
CB: "Arkansas is always really good because they are usually the top team in the SEC, so it's always nice to see how we compare to the best. There will be a lot of competition at (the Joe Piane Invitational), so it will be nice to see where are compared to those schools."
What advice have you given the freshmen this season?
CB: "Just to really take care of all the little things and do what you can to improve all the time, not just during practice, and staying focused and having fun of course."
What's the atmosphere on the team?
CB: "It's been really good. Everyone seems to be getting along really well already. All the new girls have come in and meshed well. It's nice to be around a bunch of other like-minded, motivated, driven girls."
How does being a senior make this season more special?
CB: "It's the last chance to do a lot of things. My last try to get the team to nationals, and if I don't do it this year, obviously I want the rest of the girls to do it in the future, but it's kind of like there's more on the line because I won't have another chance to make it with this team."
You've been one of Alabama's top runners since you were a freshman. How do you continue to improve from where you started?
CB: "I just try and focus on what I can be doing and not comparing myself to everyone around me, and just know that if I keep doing the things that I'm supposed to be doing that I'll improve. And I try to make sure I'm recovering well and staying healthy."
Players Mentioned
