St. Simon graduate competes in international distance race

By Chelsea Sullivan, Special to the Town Crier

Plank

Since her days at St. Simon School in Los Altos, McKayla Plank has been catching people’s attention with her success as a distance runner.

Through perseverance and a drive to improve, Plank has gone on to race at the national and international levels.

Plank, entering her sophomore year at Iona College in New York, fell in love with distance running in sixth grade and began competing a year later. At Archbishop Mitty High, she blossomed into one of the Central Coast Section’s top runners in track and cross country.

“Running makes me feel good and allows me to feel good about myself,” the 18-year-old said. “Also, I love enjoying the beautiful outdoors, and the competitive nature of running is what keeps me going hard everyday in practice.”

Plank’s biggest success came in early April at the World Cross Country Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. She was the first American woman to cross the finish line in the 6-kilometer Junior Division race. She placed 32nd out of 80 participants with a time of 21 minutes, 15 seconds. Plank’s effort contributed to the United State’s eighth-place overall finish.

“Looking back, going and competing in Japan has to be the best experience in my life so far,” she said. “I am so excited and looking forward to competing in more races and right now I am focused on working hard everyday to get better.”

Prior to the World’s, Plank competed in the USA Cross Country Championships over the cold terrain of New York City in February. Plank finished the 6K in 20:46, besting her time in the warm weather of Japan. She was runner-up, a second shy of first.

Plank took a short break from her strenuous schedule when she returned from Japan and is now ramping up for the fall season.

Plank, who grew up in Los Gatos, is out to break her personal-best times in track and cross country events. This includes a 2:13 in the 800 meters; a 4:58 in the 1,600; a 10:51 in the 3200 and a 17:50 in the 5K.

Iona coach Mick Byrnes probably wouldn’t bet against Plank setting new personal records in these events next season.

“McKayla is a 100 percent focused on becoming a successful athlete,” he said. “Her attitude, passion and competitive nature for running drive her every day to work her hardest. She has a great head on her shoulders and has the ability to accomplish so much more. She is a true competitor.”

Plank proved that at Mitty, where she overcame a thyroid problem that had some of her coaches concerned that it would hinder her chances of becoming a successful runner. But Plank’s determination and hard work won out.

Her dad, Scott Plank, said McKayla’s perseverance shouldn’t be underestimated.

“McKayla puts her money where her mouth is,” the Mountain View resident said. “She is a fierce competitor and is out there every day practicing at what she loves to do.”