Here at Shadow Ridge, our varsity cross country team consists of seven girls, two of which are sisters: Mandi Abney, who’s a sophomore, and Savannah Abney, who’s a freshman.
Their older sister, Alexis Abney, also ran cross country at Shadow. She excelled in her sport and in school. As well as being her Senior Class President, she also spoke at her class’s graduation, leaving expectations high for Savannah and Mandi as they entered high school.
But the younger Abney sisters have proved themselves up for the task and ready to rise to the occasion of furthering the Abney legacy while still making a name for themselves individually.
Mandi said, “Sometimes it’s a lot of pressure being Alexis’ little sister. I feel like I have to fill her shoes and really succeed in cross country and school. But by putting in the work to be the best I can, people can see that I’m not just Lexi’s little sister, I’m Mandi! I’ve put the effort into [working towards accomplishments for myself] and have had a great outcome.”
Though filling her shoes can seem daunting, Alexis has inspired both Savannah and Mandi to be the best runners they can, cheering them on and setting an example for them as a runner, and as an older sister. Though she has moved to Utah, Alexis has stayed involved with the Shadow Ridge Cross Country program, coming to encourage her sisters in meets.
“It’s really cool to see Alexis cheering me on and knowing that she has gone through the same thing, and felt the same pain as I’m feeling while I’m racing. It’s also nice to have a sister who can give me advice because she knows what it’s like to be a runner,” Savannah stated
Mandi said, “Whenever she can, [Alexis] comes to our races. She’s always on the sidelines cheering us on and yelling for us to run faster. When we finish, she’ll give us a big hug even though we’re super sweaty, and be super excited for us. And when she can’t make it, she’ll call us and see how our races went. She gives us advice and has taught me that when you put in the work and the effort, great things will come.”
As well as having an older sister to help encourage them, the two younger Abney sisters push each other to reach new heights.
The girls attend practice every day with each other, and when it gets hard, they support and encourage one another. They also often race together as they both are on the varsity team.
Mandi remarked, “Savannah pushes me to be the best that I can. And because she’s faster than me, she makes me want to work even harder.”
Savannah says, “I feel like Mandi always pushes me at practice, even when I feel lazy.”
And not only do the sisters help each other out when they are running. They have also helped each other get to know and grow closer with the team.
Savannah, being a freshman, just joined Shadow’s team this year. She remarked, “When I first started cross country, it was easier to get to know the team with [Mandi] there. She helps keep me going on runs, and I know I’ll always have a friend at practice.”
As they have gotten to know the team, the sisters have grown to love the whole cross country experience. (Well, except for maybe the part where they have to run in 110 degree weather!)
Mandi says, “I feel like [the team] is one big family because we are all going through the same pain of running together and we’re all working hard and putting that effort in.”
And all that hard work pays off. The girls have seen improvements in both their times, and character. Both sisters feel like running cross country has taught them discipline, how to work through hard things, and how to push themselves to do more than they ever thought possible.
Savannah remarked, “It’s made me mentally stronger because I’ve learned how to push through pain. Cross country is definitely difficult and being able to push yourself past your limits definitely changes your mental attitude about what you can do. I just have to keep thinking, ‘I can do this’, or, ‘I’ve got this!’ when I’m having a tough time.”
Mandi also feels like running cross country has helped her grow in numerous ways and gain more confidence in herself. She says, “I’ve learned you can do anything if you put your mind to it. If you put in the effort and the work, and are able to get out of your own head, you can push yourself and accomplish things you never thought you would be able to. You can do anything you want.”
And the Abney sisters are definitely accomplishing things they never before thought possible. As they push each other to new heights, cheer each other on, and work hard, they continue to pave their own paths, and make their own legacies. While still working together as a family to be the very best they can.
