Werner captures what it means to put in what you want to get out. Each day, she shows up to practices, team events and meets ready to put the work in, not only for herself but for those around her who look to her as a leader.

Previously a lacrosse player and gymnast, Werner could never have imagined what she would achieve when she decided to pick up running. Werner said she credits a large part of her success to the seniors who constantly instilled confidence in her when she first began.

“My freshman year, there were great seniors on the team. They convinced me that I had so much potential, and it inspired me to put in the work,” Werner said. “It took a few years for me to reach my peak and be in the position I am in now, where I am one of the best in the state. It took a long time to get here, and I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for those seniors and the people I had on the team that really believed in me.”

Although Werner hadn’t anticipated her success, head coach Michael DeYoung said he saw her talent early on.

“Even as a freshman, she [was] one of the top five kids on the team. She was on varsity as a freshman, and it was a talented group of kids. There were a couple of kids who now run in college, and Lucia was running with that group as a freshman,” DeYoung said.

According to Werner, she is very aware of the example she must set for those around her, not only because she is one of the most decorated runners on the team, but also because she is a captain. Even after a long day at school, Werner said she finds motivation in showing up for her teammates, as her predecessors did before her.

“Now that I am the runner on the team that people look to, even if I’m having a bad day, I have to put in my best effort because the rest of the team needs to know that, no matter what, you show up every day,” Werner said.

Teammate and senior co-captain Dasha LeFaivre said she has seen first-hand Werner’s dedication to the sport.

“She is very hard working. I have known her since freshman year so I’ve really seen her develop as an athlete and grow. She has always been tough on herself [and] she knows how to push herself,” LeFaivre said.

Whether it be rituals, specific music or meditation, race day preparation is a crucial part of an athlete’s performance. However, Werner takes a more simplistic approach leading up to a race.

“Honestly, I think that less is more when it comes to preparing for meets. I used to have a whole ritual, but now I really don’t do anything other than try not to think about it,” Werner said. “I have found that there is no need to think about the race unless you are in the race running it because you will just psych yourself out. So, I put it off my mind and don’t think about it until I am on the line and the gun goes off.”

As she prepares to continue on to her collegiate career, Werner advises fellow runners to stay focused on their own path.

“Don’t compare yourself to people who are faster than you because you can get there,” Werner said. “Everyone has been doing it for a different time [and] training a different amount, so wherever you are at now, that’s not permanent.”