From the moment I was born, it has always taken me a minute longer than most to get started, but when I do, I am unstoppable.  Although cross country was not my first sport, I earned a spot on the varsity squad in the top seven for Lockport Township High School and qualifying for state as a freshman. Since my first year in cross country, I have never failed to qualify for a state championship. I am dedicated to training and enhancing my running ability now and at the collegiate level.  

As a student athlete, I have worked diligently to balance my academics, athletics and family life. With a rigorous academic schedule, I have enrolled in several honors and advanced placement courses, and maintain above average grades. I was recently inducted into the National Honors Society at LTHS and I am a member of the Spanish Honors Society. In addition, I was selected to be an ACES leader where I have had the privilege to assist special needs students with P.E. In my spare time, I enjoy attending Parkview Christian Church, volunteering to help children at the Healthy Kids Running Series and working as a server at Dinolfo’s Banquets. These experiences have made me aspire to working in the education or medical field where I can continue to support and nurture the lives of the people around me.  It is my goal to find an athletic and academic program that will enable me to thrive as an athlete and ultimately support my team in winning future championships.

In my past seasons, I improved my three mile time from 19:21 to 18:21. I am very excited to say that I qualified for the 2018 IHSA Track State Meet and dropped nearly 30 seconds off my 800 meter split, running a 2:26 in the 4×800. This past track season I also ran the mile multiple times with a PR of 5:34 in the 3A Lockport Sectional. Some goals I have for this upcoming season are to qualify for Illinois Top Times, run sub 2:25 in my 800 split, and PR in the mile. For more information, please email me at abbeykozak2020@gmail.com.