Abby Stone, daughter of John and Michelle Stone, will be attending Maryville University where she will be on the Cross Country and Track teams. Aside from track and cross country, Abby has also participated in Basketball, Volleyball, Captain’s Club, Student Advisory, Beta Club, Student Council, Spanish Club, FCA, St. Thomas CYO
What made you decide this school was the best fit for you?
I decided that Maryville was the best school for me because of their Physical Therapy program. They have one of the best programs in the area, and when I was accepted into the program I knew I wanted to go there. It is a wonderful added bonus that I get to run there. It is also a small school, but not too small and I am excited for all of the new opportunities and experiences that the St. Louis area has to offer.
How do you feel NCHS has prepared you for this next step in life?
I believe my teachers and coaches have prepared me very well for this next step in my life. My teachers have always been there to challenge and support me academically. Especially with the social distancing going on right now, I feel that I am getting a taste of the extra responsibility that comes with college classes. Also, my coaches have pushed me to reach my potential. They have always been there to encourage me and keep me focused on my goals, and I owe a special thanks to them.
What are two life lessons you have learned from sports?
A lesson I have learned from sports, running especially, is how to stay positive and persevere through tough situations. Running is very mental, and I have learned how important it is to stay positive not only when I’m running, but also in life. I have also learned how important being a good teammate is. When you have supportive and encouraging teammates in sports, the experience is great. This can also translate into life.
How have your coaches helped prepare you to compete at the collegiate level?
My track and cross country coaches Jackie Schackmann and Brock Tarr have always pushed me to be the best I can be. I have always been able to count on Jackie to be real with me. She doesn’t try to sugar coat things and will tell me when I’ve messed up, which encourages me to try harder. BT spent hours creating workouts for the cross country team, and I feel like he has given me a great idea of what it takes to be a successful runner.
What will you miss the most about not being a Newton Eagle?
The thing I will miss most about being a Newton Eagle is the support from my team, school, and community. My teams have always felt like family, and I’m going to miss them like crazy. Also, my school and community have never failed to support its athletes. I have felt that support over and over and I’m really going to miss that.
Abby was also named to the All-State Academic Team. She was 1 of 26 student-athletes chosen to be on the team our of 400 applications. The banquet for this event as cancelled due to the coronavirus.
