During her freshman year, Gwen Asbury was debating whether to do swim or indoor track as a winter sport. She decided on indoor track—and hasn’t looked back since.

Now a senior, Asbury has fully committed to running. After dropping field hockey her junior year to become a three-season runner, she has become  one of CHS’ biggest assets on the track team, winning a state title in indoor track in the 800 meters and chasing even bigger goals for her final season of outdoor track.

“Everyone expects a lot more from me now, but I’m really proud of what I’ve accomplished so far,” Asbury said.

Asbury aspires to not only break 2:20 in the 800 meters and 5:10 in the 1600 meters this season individually, but also hopes that she can place in the top three for the 4×800 meter relay can place in the top three at states as well.

“Gwen is one of those people who [inspires] and [motivates] others to get fit and push every day,” senior co-captain Becca Clem said. “She sets goals and inspires the rest of us to set goals with her.”

Last year during a meet at Georgetown Prep in the outdoor track season, Asbury had a breakthrough. After running in the 2:30s most of the season in the 800 meter, she ran a 2:25 in a relay, proving to herself and the state that she has the potential to be an elite runner.

“She was the first state champion in the girls 800 which is an incredible achievement,” head track coach Scott Silverstein said.”By the time she is done at CHS, she should be top five in both the 800 and the 1600.”

Asbury hopes to use her talents of running at the next level, as she is considering running Division I at the University of South Carolina. She has also  used her captainship in track and cross-country to benefit the other runners on the team.

“Gwen is such an encouraging teammate both on the track and off,” senior Tess Horn said. “On the track, she is one of the most positive and enthusiastic runners I have met. She undoubtedly is the most dedicated person I know and always having her positive and encouraging friendship has made me a better runner and person.”

Asbury has not only stuck with track for the running, but for the people around her as well. She and the other female distance runners have formed tight bonds, and track has given her some of her favorite moments throughout high school.

“The girls on the team are my best friends,” Asbury said. “I’m very proud of what we have accomplished.”

Asbury has been able to not only form bonds with her teammates and coaches but lead them as well. Even as the girl’s team captain, she is still respected as a leader on the boys team.

“Gwen is a strong leader to everyone on the team,” Horn said. “The other day during a workout she was running with a small boys group and they all ran together. It was a hot day and a hard workout and everyone was exhausted. The boys asked her what her secret was for not being tired. She just kept saying ‘I have no secret, I’m tired too, but you guys can do it. we are doing it together.’”

Asbury hasn’t always been a state champion caliber runner, however, as she has had to work hard over the last year to reach and maintain her top form.

“She trained by herself over the summer, runs on off-days, and runs with boys in workouts,” Clem said. “It is incredible how less than a year of hard work made her into a state champion.”

Asbury was a sprinter in her early underclassman years at CHS before the coaching staff saw the potential for her to be a top long distance runner.

“She started out as a sprinter but we saw that she may excel more at long distance,” Silverstein said. “We hope she qualifies for at least three events at states but I see her qualifying for more.”

Asbury hopes the team finishes the season strong, and will do everything in her power to ensure that. She wants to finish off her last few weeks as a CHS runner by continuing to improve and cement her legacy at CHS.

“I want to be remembered as someone who worked really hard and never let the competition get the best of me,” Asbury said.