All of The562’s cross-country coverage for the 2021-22 school year is sponsored by Bryson. Visit BrysonFinancial.com to learn more.
When she was in elementary school, Camille Lindsay admits she wasn’t the fastest runner.
“We had these sprints from across the basketball court and I would always come in last… like always,” Lindsay said.
So, in fourth grade, she joined her school’s “100-mile club” along with her brother (Mason) and eventually became a member of a club running team.
Wise decision.
After two three-mile course records in back-to-back Moore League cross country meets (17:29 at El Dorado and 18:42 at Signal Hill), the Poly junior has already cemented her name as one of the top girls runners in the area in recent years.
But, despite her times this year, is it possible that Lindsay is still a relative unknown in the cross country landscape?
The answer is yes.
Lindsay has yet to run in a big invitational race with some of the best runners in the state.
As a freshman, Lindsay won all three Moore League races and was gearing up for a big postseason before an injury two days before CIF Prelims ended her season.
“I thought freshman year she was top five in the division and state,” Poly coach Cameron Ford said.
She said she was running back to campus near Orange Ave. and MLK Park when she stepped in a hole and fell in it.
She thought it was just an ankle sprain but it turned out to be worse.
“I went to the doctor to get a MRI and not only did they notice the ankle sprain but I also had stress reactions in both feet which is the beginning of stress fractures,” Lindsay said.
Lindsay said the injury sidelined her three months and with the pandemic last year, Lindsay was only able to race against her teammates and fellow Moore League schools.
After two long years, Lindsay will finally run in a big invitational on Saturday at the prestigious Mt. SAC Invitational. Lindsay and her Jackrabbits teammates are entered in the Sweepstakes race, which features the best teams and individuals in the state (and some out of state).
“We are ready for her to get more school records and get the recognition,” Ford said.
Lindsay said her “peak” has been planned for her to run her best later in the season.
“I've done a lot of injury prevention up until now and we built up mileage...starting from five miles a week to now 40-45 a week,” Lindsay said. “Also the limited number of invitationals so that way you don’t show our hand all at one time.”
Lindsay, who plays the violin and does community service in her spare time, said she hopes to break 17 minutes before Moore League Finals.
On Saturday, Lindsay said she is just ready to race in a big meet.
“I'm so excited to race these girls I've run club track or club cross country before high school and you know there are girls there that I recognize who are running high school and I see their names come up and they're running around the same speed as me,” she said.
