For some, finishing a 5K would be a feat in itself. For Carly Kohout, senior at South Central, finishing her 5k’s twice has become routine, making her a La Porte County Life in the Spotlight.
Since sixth grade, Carly has been running cross country. It started off as just something she had watched her older sister do, and blossomed into so much more. With a team consisting of seven girls and twelve boys, a family seems like a better word to describe it.
“There’s definitely a family aspect,” stated Carly, “There’s not a lot of us, so we bond a lot. We can all fit on one bus, so we’re always together.
Last year, alongside her teammate Kyleigh Werner, who has since graduated, Carly was part of the first duo from South Central to make it out of Sectionals. This year, Carly says, she hopes to make it further. Though quite accomplished in cross country, there is a different reason for Carly being recognized today. As part of her routine at meets, Carly will not only finish her own race but then go back on the course and run the rest of the race with the runner in last place.
“I know what it’s like to be in last and be alone. I never really took running too seriously till this previous year. I just did it for fun. Because of that, I know how hard it can be to finish a race in last,” explained Carly.
Though Carly has been doing this thoughtful act for awhile now, she has recently received some unexpected attention.
“I do it because I want to do it. Nobody asked me to. I never really expected anything to come from it,” Carly said.
A few weeks ago, Carly went back to finish a race with the only female runner for Washington Township. This particular runner’s coach and mother found Carly’s actions especially touching, nominating her for the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award that she will be receiving later this year.
Much to Carly’s surprise, something she had simply been doing empathetically turned into an action with quite the recognition. Remaining humble throughout the entirety of our discussion on the topic, it was clear that Carly would be continuing to finish races with other runners whether an award was involved or not.
On top of cross country, Carly competes in golf during the same season. With a team of five, the family aspect continues. As her second sport, Carly must balance her time wisely.
“You do have to make a lot of choices depending on what you want to focus more on,” she explained.
Track rolls around in the Spring, and her list of accomplishments lengthens. Competing in the mile, two-mile, 800m, and 4 by 800m, Carly’s plate is certainly full. She is part of both the 4 by 800m and 4 by 400m records for her school. Her Distance Medley Relay team has placed at state for the past three years and her 4 by 800m team also placed two years ago.
Carly’s success continues in school, taking part in National Honors Society, Technical Honors Society, and Student Council. She has also been showing goats, dogs, and her photography at 4-H competitions for the past eight years.
However, Carly’s talents do not stop there. Carly also competes in the Midwest Clown Convention. Just last year, she placed second in the adult division.
“You can’t not have fun at a clown convention. It sounds weird, I know, but it’s a great time!” Carly said. Judged on makeup and costume by nine judges, clowning certainly makes for a unique hobby.
As if her life wasn’t already busy enough, this weekend, Carly also competed in the Wanatah Scarecrow Queen Pageant. Sporting her cross country uniform for hobby wear and long ball gown for formal wear, Carly also had to submit an essay on what it means to live in a small town with a small school.
“Going to a small school is actually great. Everyone knows where everyone is from and you’ve basically grown up with everyone that goes there. If you didn’t, you hear their story pretty quick,” she said.
With a future that is certainly bright, Carly hopes to attend Purdue North Central next year and run Cross Country. She also hopes to study athletic training.
After meeting Carly for the first time just a few days ago, Carly’s name already pops into my head when hearing the words compassionate and modest. For very good reason, Carly Kohout is a LaPorte County Life in the Spotlight.