Posted: Mar 20, 2024
Annabelle Low, Track and Field
Tell us about how you first got involved with your sport. When did you first get interested and began participating? What is it about the sport that you enjoy so much?
I started running track in 6th grade. I had joined running club and ran a mile after school every day in elementary school, but I had never run on actual track before. After running on Huntington Beach High School’s track for our middle school track finals, I knew that this was something that I really enjoyed. For me, what I love about track is seeing how hard I can push myself to be the best that I can, and being able to see the results of my hard work from the year pay off.
What got you here to Orange Coast College? Tell us about your journey to OCC.
I grew up in Westminster but went to school in Huntington Beach. I came to Orange Coast College after graduating from Huntington Beach High School in 2022. A few of my family members had gone to OCC and run track before me, and I wanted to continue running as well. My senior year, I still had no idea what I wanted to pursue, and I decided the smartest option would be to save money and go to community college my first two years as I figured it out.
If I asked your coach or teammates about what type of person you are on your team, what do you think they would say?
I think my coach/teammates would say that I am a strong role model for my team, and a reliable teammate. I may not be the loudest person or the most outgoing, but I’m always willing to help out where I can and be a leader when necessary. I try my best to always come to practice with a smile on my face, and to help encourage my team.
What events do you participate in?? Take me through the mental side of the events you compete in.
I am a heptathlete, which means I compete in seven different events over the course of two days. This starts with the 100 meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200 meter the first day, and the long jump, javelin and 800 meters the second. Having to train for all of these events is very mentally and physically tiring, because of all of the different things that I have to focus on and try and improve in every week. Despite its challenges, I take great pride in being a heptathlete, as I really have to be mentally tough to move on from one event that I may not do as well as I hope and focus on doing my best in the next. When I’m not competing at a multi-meet, I am usually running the 4x100 meter and 4x400 meter relay, and a mixture of other jumps and throws events to get me prepared for the heptathlon. Running the relays are the most fun for me at these meets, especially the 4x400 because it is the last event and the rest of the team cheers us all on because it is a tough race.
When you're not involved with your sport, what do you enjoy doing for fun? Any hobbies or interests and that keep you busy in your spare time?
Some hobbies I enjoy in my spare time are reading, watching movies, playing the ukulele, and playing video games with my siblings/friends. Being able to set aside some time for myself each week is really important for me especially during season, because it can get overwhelming with my schedule sometimes as a student athlete that also works part time.
Who would be your all-time sports favorite athlete and why?
I think that my all-time favorite athlete would be Allyson Felix, because of how insanely talented she was in her events and because of her work ethic. I remember watching her run the 400 on TV with my dad in high school when she came back to competition after having a baby, and it was so inspiring to me to see how strong women can be.
Favorite sports team? Any sport you want ... who's your favorite team and why?
To be honest I’m not really one to watch professional sports, but I have grown up watching the Saint Mary’s men’s college basketball team play because my dad is friends with the coach, so we’ve always gone out to their games since my siblings and I were little and they are lots of fun.
Once your sports career is over, what do you want to do with your life, career-wise?
Once my track and field career is over, I hope to get my license as a speech pathologist to help kids with all sorts of disorders, speech impediments, or any type of setback that is making it hard for them to communicate. I am currently trying to get my bachelor’s in communication disorders so that I can work as a speech pathologist’s assistant and get some experience before going for my masters degree.
What's on your "Bucket List"??? Somewhere amazing to visit?? A Sports event to experience?? Whatcha got??
Something that is on my bucket list is going skydiving. Although I think it would be absolutely terrifying, I would love experiencing the thrill of free falling from 10,000 feet in the air.
