Nick Sustersic ’18, Justin Hershey ’18, Michael Zeng ’19: Throughout this winter season, Caitlin Jorgensen ‘19 has been a standout runner for the Girls’ Winter Track team. Last year as an eighth grader, she immediately separated herself from many runners her age as she had the opportunity to run for Episcopal’s fall varsity cross country team as a middle schooler. Winter Track Co-captain Kathryn Wilson ‘16, observed that “as an eighth grader Jorgensen was a little tentative but now that she is one of the top runners in the Inter-Ac, she has begun to feel more comfortable.” After Jorgensen moved on to high school this year, Wilson asserted, “I think it has been really cool as a high schooler to watch her come into her own a little bit. I feel like she felt a little like an outsider as a middle schooler but now she definitely feels like a part of the team.”
This season Jorgensen has a wide range of achievements. John Goens, Head Coach of Girls’ Winter Track, points out that she had a wonderful cross country season which then propelled her into an even better indoor season this winter.
“She really made a mark for herself in the league. People know who she is now. She is definitely one to look out for as she progresses.” Goens continued to praise her, saying, “Caitlin just takes it to the next level in terms of her determination, the extra time that she puts in beyond the practice days, and if you add that all up over time, it separates her from her peers.”
Photo courtesy of Delvin Dinkins
Jorgensen credits this amazing season mostly to her coaches. “My coaches have helped me a lot this year and I am just really honored to be recognized, it’s amazing,” says Caitlin after finding out she earned Athlete of the Month. During her season, she ranked second in Pennsylvania for her mile time. In addition to this, she is strong in the 800 meter and qualified in both events for the Conference League of Champions race this winter. Finally, Goens attributes Jorgensen’s great success to her coachability and love for running.
“She loves it, she’s gifted, she’s a natural at it. She’s also extremely coachable. She always wants to go to the next level in terms of her training.” Jorgensen is an accomplished young runner and strives to improve every day in practice. Because of this, in combination with her coachability and love for the sport, she has become one of the most talented runners in the Inter-Ac league.
However, all of this is just the beginning for Caitlin, as she is only a freshman with many races to come. “One of my big goals is to continue to go to nationals for the next few years,” she explained.
“I think her best runs are coming. There’s just so much there. I don’t know how far she can take it, because her times are just dropping dramatically, the kid has so much potential,” Goens stated. “All signs point to her being one of our top runners ever to come through at this school.”