By Mike Beas
An assortment of factors go into Corrie Bloomer making her way from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible.
Rest assured, the Danville High School senior has analyzed each and every one.
Bloomer is in her third season as a sprinter in the Warriors girls track and field program. She runs the 100- and 200-meter dashes, along with the second leg for the 4×100 relay. Occasionally, Bloomer is asked to be part of the 4×400 or 4×800 relays.
The example she sets are points all their own.
“Corrie has a great drive, and the other kids see that in her,” said fifth-year Warriors track coach Rosie Fakes. “It’s a program thing for her. Corrie’s desire to have good form and work on her starts . . . she’s always seeking to improve, and that’s what you want as a coach.”
This past fall, she helped lead Danville girls soccer to a 12-5-2 record that included a spotless 7-0 mark atop the Sagamore Conference standings. A midfielder, Bloomer scored eight goals to be named second-team All-Conference.
Ranked fifth in her class academically with a 4.2 grade point average, Bloomer will compete for the women’s track program either at Oklahoma Wesleyan University or Cornerstone University, located in Grand Rapids, Mich. Both are NAIA schools.
Bloomer did a Q&A with ICON:
Q: Do you consider yourself a soccer player who runs track or a track athlete who plays soccer?
A: I would say track comes first for me because that’s what I’m going to do in college. I love the fact that you reap the benefits of your hard work in a tangible way. Honestly, the adrenalin rush is one of the best things, too. Getting in the blocks and being able to visualize my race.
Q: Which event do you look forward to most during a track meet?
A: Probably the 200 just because it’s the first race I was good at. I also like having enough time to be able to get up to speed. As I’m into the last straightaway, I really feel I’m good at picking up speed. My starts have improved a lot, and the 200 is a mental game where I have that mentality to push myself.
Q: What will it take for you to look back and feel satisfied with your senior track season?
A: When I think about times, I know I would like to break 13 and 28 seconds in the 100 and 200, respectively. And I would like our team to win conference. I do think we have the team to win it.
Q: What are your plans after graduating from Danville Community High School?
A: I’m going to go to college and study either pre-med or chemistry. I want to become an optometrist. I’ve always wanted to work in the medical field, and eyes are fascinating. Everything about them is super intricate.
