O’Gorman’s Libby Castelli has been on the run all fall in soccer and cross country
Knights junior has had incredible run in soccer and cross country
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) -O’Gorman’s Libby Castelli has been on the run this fall season. She played soccer for the Knights and also ran cross country where she won the State “AA” title on Saturday.
Zach Borg caught up with her today, which is no easy thing to do... and has more on our Karl’s TV & Appliance Athlete of the Week.
STORY
With a mother who played college soccer at Georgetown, and an older sister running at Santa Clara, it’s easy to see why Libby Castelli would do both at O’Gorman. “Obviously running has helped my endurance in soccer. And then soccer just helps keep me in shape I guess.” Castelli says.
And figure out that the youngest of four children gets pretty competitive. “I don’t like to watch her soccer games because she’s all over the place! But I do get to a few and man, she’s flying all over the place, in the dirt, on the ground, super competitive out there, and it shows. Three years in a row being All-State soccer. So it’s fun to watch her. Hard as the running coach!” O’Gorman Track & Cross Country Coach Aaron Strand says.
After Castelli’s family moved from Illinois in her eighth grade year, Libby began to focus on running as she set more personal records. Despite that she never gave up on soccer, and continues alternating between the sports each fall season. “It may have been better if I just stuck to one. But I think, I mean, I’ve done soccer my whole life, and I just I love the team. I just kind of have fun during both of them.” Castelli says.
Though victories on the pitch were coming, they were harder to coming by on the track or course. At State Cross Country over her first three years Libby finished fifth, third and runner-up last year in Huron. “Obviously I want to win and stuff but I feel stuff but then I feel like it helps me to be a better runner when there is better people and it helps push me to the next level.” Libby says.
“”She puts in the hard work definitely doing two sports. You could tell she was definitely was as determined as ever to be a state champion and run some fast times.” Strand says.
And she did, closing the spring track season with state titles in a medley relay and the 1600 meter run. At State Cross Country this past weekend Libby completed her ascent to the top. “I was like, really tired! But just hearing all the fans, and it was my first state title in cross country, it was a great feeling!” Castelli says.
With college interest picking up, and the goal of going Division One like other members of her family, Castelli may take a page from her running philosophy.. “At the last mile you feel good, that’s kind of when you kind of want to pick it up and push yourself!” Libby says.
....and get even faster next year.
Zach Borg, Dakota News Now Sports.
Copyright 2023 KSFY. All rights reserved.
