Emma Roberts has had an uphill battle preparing cross country, but this has not stopped her from competing. “I have struggled with many health problems in my life since freshman year, and they have continued to pile up. Diagnosis after diagnosis, doctor after doctor, surgery this summer.” She told VYPE this season she wants to continue working through the struggles.

Despite dealing with health issues, Roberts still has high hopes for the season. “We have great chances to win meets, as well as becoming back-to-back regional champions, and take home a plaque at the state meet. We have received third place as a team in 2021 and 2022, so we are ready for 2023 to be the year we bring home number one.”

As a senior at Sacred Heart, Roberts knows her senior leadership can help pay off big for the team. Although she knows her health issues may hold her back in some areas, she knows what her team can do together. “I realized that I can become a leader in other aspects, not just leading the pack, or running faster time than everyone. I am excited for my team this year. We could do big things!”

After graduation, Roberts plans on attending Benedictine College in Atchison and major in Theology. She is looking even further into the future by plans after college graduation. “I would love to come back to my home area and have a career where I can teach others about the Catholic faith.”

When not running, Roberts is a girls basketball manager for her high school. She also competes in track and is involved in other groups such as NHS, yearbook committee, a community captain, and a leader in a women’s group at Sacred Heart, and she is a leader in her Catholic Youth Organization.