By Ember McElrath

Weatherford High School girls track athlete Morgan Mouse is one that her coaches can always count on.

“Morgan is usually quiet but always does things right. She has always done anything I ask of her,” Weatherford track coach Kaleb Fischer said. “Every year I have moved her around and put her on different relays and in different individual events and she never complains. Every time she steps up and performs at the highest level and makes her team better.”

Being someone her coaches can depend on gives Morgan so much joy.

“I think that it is an honor and a responsibility for your coaches to be able to depend on you. Fischer always says “I’ll put you wherever the team needs you.” These words to me mean that he knows I will be willing to run whatever he needs me to and try my best in it,” Morgan said.

Now a senior, Morgan has been officially on the team since sixth grade, but she started long before that.

“My dad brought up the idea of running cross country and track before they were ever offered in school and I would always be asking him to time how fast I could run around the house or try to find my top speed with the truck speedometer,” said Morgan.

For a lot of dedicated athletes, their sports are not just something they do to stay in shape, but it is where they find their peace and happiness.

“My favorite part of track is that running gives me an escape,” Morgan said. “When I am running that is all I have to think about and the worries of the day can slip away for a while. Another reason I love track is that the coaches and teammates are all helpful and supportive not only about track but about life because there is a bond made when you run next to someone everyday and try your hardest in every race to benefit each other.”

Running distance races most of her career, last year Mouse decided to switch it up and she runs the open 400, 1600 relay, 800 relay, as well as the sprint relay.

Looking back over her track career Morgan has a few accomplishments that really stick out.

“I think I am most proud of my fourth place at state in the 400 because I had not been very prepared to run it or that I got to be part of the 200 relay team that holds the school record,” Morgan said.