Katrina Gerhard
Katrina started out racing in her every day chair, pioneering the inclusion of wheelchair racing in Massachusetts high school track and field (MIAA).
Now, she is a member of the wheelchair racing team at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
1. Can you give us a little background about yourself and tell us about how you initially get involved in track?
I grew up as a folk dancer when I was younger. I was disabled at 14 and joined my high school track team at age 16 in my day chair. The team encouraged me a lot, and through that I met Joe Walsh from Adaptive Sports NE. He put me in contact with the Navigators, a junior wheelchair racing team. They helped me get all the equipment and training I needed.
2. What were the best parts of being a part of the track team at your high school?
I loved the community of high school track. It was competitive, but we also took a lot of time to recognize everyone’s accomplishments, not just the varsity runners.
3. What were some of the struggles/ suggestions you would make for an athlete looking to compete on their high school team?
The hardest things are finding equipment, proper training, and being allowed to compete. I would recommend finding a separate wheelchair racing coach besides your high school coach who knows a lot about the sport and who can email you workouts to do. I would also recommend doing a lot of research before committing to one coach or buying your first racing chair. If you can, try to meet other racers. It’s a really helpful community. And above all, realize that your athletic achievements and goals are just as important as any other athlete, regardless of ability. If someone says you can’t compete, don’t be discouraged. Keep talking and pushing until you can have the same opportunities as other athletes.
4. What events did you participate in? Did you have people to race against?
I did a little bit of everything. I like distance best, so I usually did the mile or 2 mile. I never had anyone to compete against. But they put me in the same heats as able-bodied runners so that I wouldn’t be doing my races alone. I really appreciated that.
5. During your college search, what were you looking for in a school? What advice would you give others who are in the process of choosing a college?
Since I use a wheelchair, I was looking for a flat campus (it makes a huge difference). I wanted somewhere that had a strong department for my major (biology) and where I could still train. UIUC was one of the first colleges to allow disabled students to get a higher education, and a lot of that had to do with their adaptive sports programs. I mostly chose my school because it’s the best wheelchair racing training facility in the US.
6. What are some of the challenges/ best parts about being a student-athlete? What advice would you give an incoming freshman looking to be a student athlete?
You have to be really good at time-management. And you have to learn to respect your body, including eating and sleeping well and not drinking. If your body and mind aren’t healthy, then your grades and track times will reflect that.
7. What is your typical practice schedule like during the season? What do some of your workouts look like?
I train 6 days a week, usually for a couple hours, depending on the workout. We do a lot of long-distance road workouts (up to 25 miles during marathon season), track workouts, weight-lifting, and roller workouts (it’s similar to a treadmill).
8. Have you declared a major? If so, what is it? Do you have any plans for after college yet?
My major is molecular and cellular biology. I’m in the honors concentration, so we take extra classes and have extra lab requirements. I absolutely love it so far. I’m on the premed track, so my goal is to attend medical school after college.
9. What are some of your goals for this upcoming season and year- academically, socially, athletically, etc.
This coming semester, I’ll be doing the Chicago and NYC marathons. I want to continue to drop my marathon time. I’ll also be taking the MCAT in January, so that’s my first big step towards med school. I can’t wait!
10. What have been your proudest moments in high school/ college?
My proudest moments so far have been getting accepted to college, seeing my parents at the top of heartbreak hill during the Boston marathon, getting to do the London marathon, doing 6 marathons my sophomore year, excelling in organic chemistry, volunteering at wheelchair racing camps and development programs, and making the 2017 US Paralympic Track and Field National Team.
Last Sunday, Katrina placed third in the 2017 Falmouth Road Race. Click here to see her results and a video of her finish!
