Cros-Lex’s Eva Thompson recently wrapped up her senior cross country season as one of the most successful and accomplished runners from the Blue Water Area. Besides her many running accolades, one remarkable fact about her is that she only began competing in cross country as a ninth-grader.
“I became curious about cross country in 8th grade and began asking about what it was because I didn’t know much about it,” Thompson stated. “I met the high school coach by chance and started attending the summer practices before my freshman year.” Thompson’s coach, Lisa Shaw, echoed the sentiment. “My favorite story is how Eva became a member of our team. In 2020 I participated in a community yoga class her mother, Brenda taught. I told her that I coached cross country and she mentioned that she had a daughter (Eva) in 8th grade. I told her to contact me the next summer and I would send her the information.”
The rest is history. Thompson steadily and consistently improved each season, going from a 22:01 at the first meet of her freshman year to a 19:52 at the state finals. By her sophomore year, she’d dropped to a sub-19 minute 5K and was battling for BWAC and regional titles, pushed by upperclassman teammate Morgan Newton. More experienced and mostly unchallenged in her junior year, Thompson was almost exclusively running in the low to sub-19s and never lost a regular season race outside of the highly competitive MSU Invitational, where she finished third, and a fourth-place finish at regionals, where she was recovering from an illness. Her senior campaign left no doubt that she was the dominant favorite in the Blue Water Area and one of the best in the state, frequently front-running all alone. Her only second-place finish locally this year was to defending D4 state champion Kaylie Livingston at the Brooks Mid-Season Spectacular. With twelve first-place meet finishes in 2024 (and 27 meet and invitational wins throughout her career), Thompson is a two-time regional champion and BWAC MVP. She had yet to attain only one accolade: a top-30 D2 All-State finish.
Thompson put the icing on that cake, blazing the MIS course to a top-ten finish at the state meet on November 2 in a ten-second personal best: she was seventh in 18:19. “My goal going into states was to get All-State and hopefully PR along with it,” Thompson confirmed. “The start of the race was good for me because I could get into a good position and not get stuck in the pack of runners. I was a little nervous about running too fast the first mile and being tired out the rest of the race, but once I got to the mile I was more confident that I was in a good spot. I was excited for the third mile because it is downhill and then the final curve on the inside of the track. When I finished I was just really happy because I knew I had set a PR and got a much higher placement than I was expecting.” Drafted by Elite Feet running store for the MITCA Elite team race in Shepherd on Nov. 9, Thompson again reset her Croswell-Lexington school record in 18:17, capping off an incredible career as a Pioneer.
“Eva’s senior cross country season was nothing short of extraordinary, filled with accolades that are hard to summarize,” Coach Shaw reflected. “As a quiet leader, she led by example, never seeking the spotlight despite her remarkable talents and work ethic. Her dedication to the sport is exemplified by her impressive new school record. Remarkably, she never missed a competition throughout her career, showcasing her commitment and resilience. As she prepares to take her talents to the collegiate level, we celebrate her achievements and the lasting impact she has made on our team. Eva's legacy will inspire future runners for years to come! If you look up on our record board, her name appears four times. She will surely inspire future girls who walk by.”
Eva shared some insights and reflections on the amazing milestones she’s achieved, memories of her career, her spring track goals, and what her next steps are beyond high school.
What do you think has helped make you so successful in your running career? What are things you do that help you perform well?
Consistently training over the summer and winter I think has helped me improve a lot. We try to build up our mileage so that we do our best at the end of the season instead of in the middle. I think this helps so that I’m ready for the big races at the end of the season. I think that stretching, foam rolling, and drinking electrolytes to stay hydrated have all helped too. Also, I try to picture the course before the race if I’ve been there before and think about what I can do to have a good race. It helps me to be a little less nervous because I have a plan. I think having a good mindset is really important when you go into a race because it can help you have fun and push yourself to do your best.
Do you have something you try to focus on or think about when you’re running up front all alone?
I try to keep my focus on the parts of the course that I can work on next, like speeding up after a curve or working up a hill. I just try to keep myself going and pick up the pace if I can.
What is one of your favorite memories of cross country?
It's really hard to pick just one memory. I think the cross country camps were some of my favorite times. It is fun because running is mixed in with going to get ice cream, going kayaking, watching a movie, swimming, games, campfires, and just hanging out.
What is your favorite XC course or track meet?
My favorite cross country course is Ubly because it’s an interesting course. There are lots of turns and little hills and there is almost no overlap in the course. It is fun to run on because of the variety.
Looking towards the track season, what are your main goals?
I want to break 5 minutes for the 1600 since I ran 5:01 last year at the state meet and a PR in the 3200 as well (currently 11:02).
What are the next steps for you after high school? Do you plan on running collegiately? What would you like to study?
I plan to run collegiately at Central Michigan University and study biology there.
FAVORITES
Favorite food or snack before a race?
I usually eat a PB&J sandwich or a homemade granola bar before a race. The night before I like to have pasta of some kind.
Favorite treat after a race or a hard workout?
After practice and races, I love sea salt and vinegar potato chips.
Favorite music, TV show, and/or book?
I love reading and the Harry Potter book series is my favorite.
