Wedlake running the 2 mile race. Provided by Wedlake.

In an intense sport such as track, hard work and dedication are the sole factors that can make or break a great runner. For junior Emily Wedlake, the importance of these factors has always been at the forefront of her mind, driving her everyday training sessions. Her commitment to practicing and getting better were on full display on Sunday, Jan. 12 at the Northeast Invitational indoor track meet where Wedlake not only came in first in the girls’ varsity 2 mile race, but also achieved the meet record in the same event.

Wedlake is involved in all three seasons of running sports/teams at WA: cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field. She takes hours out of her busy schedule to accommodate for all of the training she needs in order to perform to the best of her abilities; spending a minimum of two and a half hours a day at practice and also running at least 40 miles each week.

“Being consistent is definitely the main factor that I keep at the front of my head because without consistency it’s hard to progress in training as well as getting faster,” Wedlake said. “I take one day a week off but other than that I have to make sure I’m running every day at the mileage necessary, so as to not mess up training schedules and future goals that could be affected by dips in mileage.”

Not only physical training is a huge part of excelling in running but also having a runner’s mindset. Going into the race, Wedlake did not have many expectations for herself other than to do the best that she could. Knowing that she had solid training leading up to the meet set her at ease to showcase what she could do.

“[Wedlake is] the kind of athlete who takes herself seriously and her sport and training seriously, but she doesn’t take herself too seriously, which I think you need in a sport like this, where there is a major focus on the individual events and individual performance,” Indoor Track Head Coach Ashley Smith said. “So, after a bad race, she’s the kind of athlete who will reflect on it and consider how she can improve. But she’s not going to let that hang her up, and she’s going to use it as the proper motivation to train.”

According to Wedlake, she had no idea what the meet record was before the race and was just ready to see what she could do in the first big meet of the season. However, during the race, Wedlake’s legs continued to feel fresh and strong, providing her with the confidence to continue to push her pace.

Even so, getting to the finish line was a battle. Up until the last 100 meters, Wedlake had been trailing behind Oyster River High School’s Mackenzie Cook, who ultimately finished in second place 0.43 seconds behind Wedlake. However, once Wedlake saw the finish line up ahead, she took off and secured herself first place with a time of 10:49.55, beating the meet record by 0.39 seconds which was previously held by Shae Reagan from Littleton in 2022.

“Seeing that I had [the record] crossing the line, I was very surprised and elated,” Wedlake said. “I’m honestly happy I didn’t know about the record going into it because if I had, I might have messed up my pacing in fear of running too fast or too slow, which might have gone to my head.”

Wedlake now not only holds the WA girls’ outdoor track 2 mile record, which she secured last spring at the state championship with a time of 10:48.43, but now also the school record for the girls’ indoor 2 mile.

“Having both [records] is super exciting,” Wedlake said. “To keep this place, it’s always important to keep the consistency maintained [within practices and meets], and I know I have the capability of going much faster and so this will help me to improve next year.”

Although Wedlake is highly dedicated to her sport, she is also extremely committed to her academics. According to Wedlake, once she gets home after her hours of practice, she is fully focused on her schoolwork. Being able to juggle sports and academics is a fine balance, but Wedlake still manages to find enjoyment in her strict regiment.

“Being a student-athlete is something I’m grateful I have the opportunity to be, because it certainly keeps my life interesting with having to maintain a good balance and being able to run with some of my best friends every day,” Wedlake said.

Wedlake had been running long before she came to WA. She was on the cross country and track teams for Blanchard Middle School and was also on a club team throughout middle school. Wedlake also comes from a family of Division 1 runners, with both of her parents attending Providence College in the 90’s and her brother Adam Wedlake currently enrolled as a freshman there. With that, Wedlake has always seen herself running competitively whether it be in college or professionally down the line. Even though Wedlake has not made any concrete decisions about where she may run in college, she is keeping her options open and is excited to see where her running journey may take her.

“There have been some local as well as far [away] colleges and universities I’ve been talking to,” Wedlake said. “So, having the knowledge that I could potentially run D1 is super exciting and something I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to do.”

Even though Smith does not work directly with the distance runners all of the time, Wedlake’s dedication has not gone unnoticed by her. According to Smith, Wedlake has truly found the style of running and training that suits her and that benefits her lifestyle.