Friends’ Central runner Lydia Russsell setting records one step at a time

Wynnewood >> What started out as a way to relax and take a break from competitive swimming for Friends’ Central School rising senior Lydia Russell has quickly turned into a passion.
Competing against some of the best the country has to offer in the 5,000-meters at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor championships in Greensboro, N.C. June 17, Russell crossed the finish line in a time of 16:18.72 to claim third place and later learned she had set a new Pennsylvania state record, breaking the old record of 16:34.86 set by Madeline Davison in 2016.
“For me, it definitely means a lot to have set the PA state record at this meet,” said Russell. “Especially to have done it against such strong competition makes me especially proud to represent the state of Pennsylvania and Friends’ Central and be able to add to the powerhouse that our state’s female middle-distance runners are always proving themselves to be.”
FCS coach Brandon Shell added, “It is beyond words. Once I read it was official my eyes popped out of my head. All she set out to do was run fast for herself. Everything else was a bonus. Her growth over the past years have been great to experience and is definitely a highlight in my coaching career.”
Growing up as a competitive swimmer, Russell would go out for a leisurely run to clear her head and escape. By the time she entered middle school Russell knew she needed to take a break from swimming, so she decided to give cross-country a try.
Right from the outset, her middle school coaching staff, which included Michelle Crowley, and high school coaching staff, which included Venetia Ricketts and Brandon Shell, saw potential for greatness.
“It was a slow process, but my coaches saw potential that I did not necessarily see,” said Russell in a recent interview. “I just went along with what they believed.”
Shell said, “I noticed she had the natural physical tools as a freshman, but more than anything she was a willing learner and hard worker.”
After enjoying her time running cross-country, Russell decided to pass on swimming in the winter and run indoor track. As she continued to improve, she found the key to her success was having fun.
“Having fun is without question one of the most instrumental parts of my success,” said Russell. “Of course, working hard in practice and pushing myself physically and mentally in my races are important as well, but if I didn’t have fun running, I don’t think my times would be anywhere near as fast as what I’m running now. Beyond that, I feel really lucky to have found a sport that I can not only be successful in, but also that never stops being something that I genuinely love doing.”
Shell added, “Hearing that an athlete is having fun competing and truly enjoys the sport is what makes a coach get up in the morning. That’s the culture of our team. This year, Lydia embodied that culture and spirit of the team.”
At Friends’ Central, Russell has been a spark for the Phoenix in the distance races, focusing on the two-mile, 5,000-meter, mile and 4×800-meter relay.
With competing in college now in the forefront, Russell had a memorable outdoor season this past spring, posting impressive times.
In the 3000 meter run, her time of 9:37.65 ranked No. 1 in Pennsylvania and No. 2 in the United States, and she placed second at the 125th Penn Relays Carnival.
In the 3200 meter run, her clocking of 10:42.21 ranked 13th in Pennsylvania; and her time of 5:04.75 in the 1600 meter run rated 12th in Pa.
She clocked 2:19.19 in the 800 meter run, as her split in the 4X800 meter relay. Russell anchored FCS to a third place finish in the 4×800, and helped the relay qualify for Championship of America race at Penn Relays.
Russell also won the two-mile run at the VA Showcase.
Although Russell still has her senior season to look forward to, she has begun garnering interest from many colleges where she would like to major in Languages, specifically French or Spanish.