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Volume CXXXII, Number 18 |
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Track Feature: Julia Febiger
GRACE CHO
ORIENT STAFF
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| Febiger poses with one of her best friends: the hurdle. (Hans Law, Bowdoin Orient) |
Take a trip down memory lane to spring 1998 in the town of Wellesley, Massachusetts. That's where you'll find Julia Febiger '03, a junior in high school back then, walking to her first day of outdoor track practice. Ask her about how she is feeling about going to her first day of practice, and she would have said, "Track practice is such a chore."
Not the most typical reaction for a young lady who was to become an All-American during her final indoor track season at Bowdoin. But nonetheless, it was how she felt at the time.
Though now in 2003, the senior captain of the women's track and field team has a different reaction when asked the same question. "I love going to practice. It's my time to see my closest friends and put in some hard work," said Febiger.
Over her past four years at Bowdoin, she has spent many hours in Farley Field House putting in the effort and waiting to see the results-a lesson she learned immediately from her teammates and coaches.
"Watching the performances of others made me realize that what you put in is what you will get out in the end," said the self-proclaimed track fiend.
For Febiger, the results of her efforts have translated into a long list of achievements including the 2001 and 2002 defending champion of the NESCAC 400-meter hurdles; the 2003 Maine State Champion in the 800-meter; school record holder in the 4x400-meter relay; qualifying for 2001 and 2002 Division III Outdoor Nationals in the 400-meter hurdles; and her most recently added 2003 All-American status in the Distance Medley Relay.
However, when talking to Febiger, she stresses that these achievements are not the most meaningful memories of her track and field career. "The Lynne-O relays, spring break training trips, and the victory run after the Aloha Relays are the memories that I look back upon often because, when it all comes down to it in the end, it's being with your team. The friends I have made, getting to know each other through training, sharing common goals-it's a driving factor of why I am still here running, jumping, or hurdling."
Although Febiger greatly credits her team and coaches-otherwise known as her second family - for her success, the multi-event track athlete never forgets the people who initially encouraged, supported, and convinced her to enter the sport.
"My high school coach was very intuitive and saw the potential I had as an athlete that I didn't know I had," said Febiger. "He made me realize my strengths. Also being raised in a household of former competitive athletes encouraged me. My family has been my biggest supporters and have taught me some valuable lessons that I take with me on to the track."
Febiger credits her grandmother for teaching her to be determined in her pursuits. "I looked to my grandmother because she was a pioneer of her time. She was determined person. She went to medical school during a time when most women were not receiving an education."
Whether Febiger's pursuits are making sure she has shotgun in the car or being the best student athlete she can be, she keeps the spirit of her grandmother and family with her.
Febiger enters her final track season as a Bowdoin student as one of the
leading point scorers and a favorite to defend her NESCAC titles.
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