Newkirk junior distance standout Nicole Free has quietly become one of the anchors of the Tigers’ girls track program, building a reputation on toughness, faith and a love for long races that started years ago at a small middle school meet.
Free, a junior at Newkirk High School, competes in the 3,200-meter run, 1,600 and the 4×400 relay, embracing the workload and the pressure that comes with being one of the team’s go-to distance runners. That path started in sixth grade when her coach, Morgan Dutton, convinced her to try the 3,200 for the first time. “My coach in sixth grade, Morgan Dutton, encouraged me to run my first 3200-meter run and now that is my best event,” Free said.
Her competitive drive is fueled at home as much as it is at practice. Free said her older brother and sister have set the standard for what it means to work hard and chase big goals, both in sports and in life. “My older brother and sister have inspired me to work hard to be successful in sports and in life,” she said.
On the track, Free has become a dependable piece of Newkirk’s lineup, but she said the best part of the sport is the culture around the team. “My favorite part about being a member of the team is how much we support each other,” Free said. “We make sure to cheer each other on as we compete.” Between races, she focuses on recovery and encouragement, staying out of the sun, hydrating with water and electrolytes, and watching her teammates’ events.
Away from competition, Free is a well-rounded student who lists math as her favorite subject and points to her freshman English teacher, Mrs. Watkins, as a classroom role model. “My favorite teacher is Mrs. Watkins, she was my freshman English teacher,” Free said. “I learned a lot in her class, and she always made it fun.” She also sets goals outside of athletics, including a plan to read 24 books this year while balancing movies, video games with her sisters, time with her cousins and involvement in her IBC youth group.
Free said track has already given her lessons that will carry far beyond high school. “Athletics has taught me how to set and achieve my goals and overcome adversity,” she said. Her faith is at the center of her racing mindset as well. “The best advice I’ve been given is to pray while I run,” Free said. “This motivates me to do my best.”
Looking ahead, Free hopes her dedication on the track will open doors at the next level. She plans to pursue a scholarship to run in college, and she even has her eye on eventually trying the steeplechase, an event she calls entertaining and fun to watch.
