Two-sport athlete Abigail Richter earns Class 2A honor

At times during the fall season, Triad senior Abigail Richter just had to stop and catch her breath. But only for a second. Competing in two varsity sports at the same time for the third year in a row, Richter has become a master at time management.

The starting middle blocker on a Knights volleyball team that finished 14-18 this season, Richter recorded 90 kills and 46 blocks. As the top cross country runner on the Knights squad, Richter was simply one of the best in Southern Illinois.

But in a day when most athletes are specializing in one sport, Richter’s athleticism and her willingness to train and compete in two different sports at the same time is something not often seen.

“To be able to compete in two sports at the same time is something in itself. But to be able to compete in two sports at such a high level the way Abigail did is even more impressive,’’ Knights cross county coach Andy Brendel said. “She has learned to manage her time very well.’’

While Richter finished her senior volleyball season on a high note, her future in college is running.

This past cross country season, while battling Waterloo freshman phenom Jenna Schwartz on an almost weekly basis, Richter won six events — including her second Mississippi Valley Conference title and the Madison County championship. Her best time over three miles of 18 minutes 14 seconds had her in position to earn all-state honors at the Class 2A State Cross Country Meet.

But stricken with flulike symptoms the week of the state finals in Peoria, the best Richter could do was place 48th in a field of 207 in a time of 18 minutes 18 seconds.

“I’m still not sure what it was that I had. I didn’t feel well and I had trouble breathing the week of the state meet. I missed two days of practice,’’ Richter said. “It was disappointing because I had trained so hard all summer. We ran as a team every weekday, and I put in more miles this summer than I ever had before. Not to be able to be at my best for the biggest race of the year — my last high school cross country race — was very disappointing.’’

Nevertheless, Richter’s senior season was good enough for her to be chosen by area coaches as the News-Democrat Class 2A Runner of the Year.

A gifted all-around athlete who played in a select softball league in addition to training for cross country this summer, Richter was a two-sport athlete this fall for the third straight year. After not being allowed to compete in both volleyball and cross country as a freshman, a solid freshman year in track and field and backing from some coaches provided Richter with the chance to try.

It hasn’t been easy at times.

“Alot of the big cross country meets are on Saturday mornings so that made it a little easier unless there were volleyball tournaments,’’ Richter said. “There were a lot of times after school where I would go to volleyball practice then go out and run by myself after. That was a little more difficult because it’s sometimes hard to push yourself running alone.’’

Richter is currently in the midst of the college recruiting process. An excellent student, Richter is planning on majoring in either health sciences or kinesiology and hopes for a career as a coach and teacher. Among the schools, Richter is considering are Western Illinois University and Illinois College in Jacksonville.

“I’m sad my high school career is close to ending, but excited about college and starting the next stage of my life,’’ Richter said. “I’ve seen Western (Illinois) and Illinois College, but I plan to visit more schools before making my decision. I want to make sure its the right one.’’

Brendel thinks even more offers will come for his four-year cross country and track and field standout. One of Richter’s true gifts as a runner is her versatility. Not only does she have the ability to run the three mile courses in cross country, but Richter also happens to be one of the top Class 2A 800 meter runners in the metro-east.

“There aren’t a lot of cross country runners who can go all the way down to the 800 meters,’’ Brendel said. “We’re looking forward to the spring. We think Abigail can do some good things in track and field this year.’’

This story was originally published December 20, 2015 at 6:52 PM with the headline "Two-sport athlete Abigail Richter earns Class 2A honor."