Lily Good. A very familiar name around Whitmer campus, Washington Local, and Northwest, Ohio. Since she was just a freshman, her name has been repeated over and over and now is simply recognized with success. She has destroyed old and then set many new records and has achieved so many accomplishments that it’s almost hard to not notice her. Whether it’s out training, in the classroom, extra-curriculars, or just around campus; Lily’s presence is something that Whitmer is very familiar with.
Between training sessions and races, I caught up with Lily to talk about what’s next, how she got to this point, and what keeps her motivated to keep improving. Spoiler alert: it’s not magic, It’s just a whole lot of hard work, determination, and maybe a little bit of stubbornness. Lily explains that her team is also what keeps her going everyday. They show up for her when she needs them, and she couldn’t be more grateful for them.
Lily has been crushing records since she was a freshman when she broke the Whitmer 3200 meter track distance record. The next year, Good went on to break the school 5K during the fall cross country season and she then went on to break her own 3200 meter record again during her sophomore track season.
Junior year, Lily broke her own 5k cross country record and then she added her grabbing the 1600 meter track record. Always striving towards her own success, we sat down for our interview as she was preparing for her eventual regional and then state cross country success and she also explained that her goal this upcoming spring track season was to break the 800 meter record.
Now in the fall of her senior year, Lily Good has checked off a ton of goals and added plenty of accomplishments to her list this year. Her most recent one definitely stood out and she was absolutely on fire at the Northern Lakes League Championship on Oct. 11th. Good broke the Whitmer school record for the third week in a row and even set a new course record at the meet with a time of 17:45.38. It’s safe to say she’s been running out of records to break, one meet at a time.
So what’s next for Lily Good? From an outside view, it almost feels like she’s done it all. Week after week, she keeps showing up, pushing herself, and somehow finding another level. Lily puts in the work everyday. Early mornings, late practices, and plenty of worn-out running shoes to prove it. After dominating at the N.L.L. Championship she’s now headed to regionals, where she’s looking to keep the momentum going towards the final state race.
I asked Lily if she ever felt pressure from her own success, almost like “hey, if I don’t break this record I’m going to fail.” Good responded with “Yes, and it’s inflicted by myself. No one else does it. Not my parents, not my coaches, I make sure to do it on my own.” She continues to put so much pressure on herself everyday, but according to Lily, without it she would not be the athlete she is today.
As of Wednesday, October 22nd Lily decided to continue her academic and athletic career at Bowling Green State University. All though this was not her only option, she explained that this was her best option. “Every time that I have gone there, I have had a positive thing to say. It feels so welcoming. I feel like it is home there, and I can just be myself,” Good explains.
Outside of Good’s athletic career, I went on to ask her about what she planned to do with her academic career. She briefly explained to me that she wanted to go into sports management and I questioned it.
“I always want to stay connected around the sports area, when I’m unable to run when I get older. I want to do ticket sales, I want to promote the team, and I’m really excited for that,” she elaborated. Not only is Lily amazing on the track or course, but also in the classroom with her academics also paving her way to the future.
Prior to the publishing of this interview, Lily went on to place 12th out of 179 of the top runners in the State of Ohio Division 1 Girls 5000 Meter Run with a time of 18:23.44. This secured Lily All-Ohio honors for the 2nd year in a row, improving on her 20th place position last year and a place on Mid-East Team Ohio. This elite group of Ohio senior high school cross country runners are selected to represent the state at the annual Mid-East Cross Country Championships (MECXC) against top athletes from Indiana, Michigan, and other Midwestern states.
I may be a little biased as a friend, but as a school and community we are beyond proud to call Lily a panther. Her accomplishments, drive, and kindness is unmatched and truly one of a kind.