by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Odessa Acre is an aspiring sophomore runner for Shawano Community High School in Shawano, Wisconsin. She is one sectional meet away from qualifying to run in the Wisconsin State Cross Country Meet.
“I am enrolled Stockbridge Munsee and also Menominee,” said Odessa. “My mom is Angel Miller and she’s Stockbridge and my dad is Ruben Arce and he is Menominee.”
“I help lead and motivate my team. I made sure to apply myself in the preseason as I ran all summer and I also made sure every practice counts”, added Odessa.
In her freshman track season last spring, Odessa was Bay Conference Champion in the 1600m in 5:27.42. She placed second in the regional’s 1600m and fourth at sectionals, missing qualifying for state by one place. She anchored the 4×800 relay and the team also missed going to state by one place.
This fall her best 5K has been 19:59, set at the Bay Conference meet last week where she placed 5th and was first team All-Bay Conference. Moving on to sectionals this coming Saturday, she is ranked 7th, and has a good chance to make her first state appearance. The Shawano Community HS boys team members senior Demetrius Kaquatosh was the Bay Conference Champion and Alec White placed fifth in the fastest state freshman time; see ndnsports.com for feature articles on them.
“This fall I took first in the Wittenberg-Birnamwood cross country race, and being First Team All Bay Conference as well as breaking 20 minutes are highlights,” said Odessa. “I also came back to help my team win conference last year after my foot was broke all season, I was just shy of state and I hope to use that as motivation to make it this year.”
“It is important for me to represent my Stockbridge tribe,” said Odessa. “I hope that I am a role model for younger kids in my tribe and I hope that it also motivates them to find something they are passionate for. I also represent my tribe in other ways. I was a Princess and traveled out to our homelands in Stockbridge, Massachusetts where I discovered a humbling feeling of my native culture.”
“I can apply the courage, mental and physical strength and the perseverance it takes to run to every aspect of my life. I need running to show me what I am capable of doing and it’s my dream to run at a D1 college and also find my skills and interests to form a career with running,” added Odessa.
Jeff Zobeck started a Cross Country team at Odessa’s old school when she was in 7th grade. “Odessa is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen,” said Jeff. “She is passionate about running and pushes herself to improve on a daily basis. She sets a great example for others to follow on how to prepare to compete at the highest level. She is never satisfied with a performance. That just motivates here more to improve.”
Chad Thorne was Odessa’s coach and he helped her learn to love running and grow a passion for the sport, and even though he’s not her coach now he is still always encouraging and wants the best for her. “I had the opportunity to coach Odessa in middle school,” said Coach Chad. “She is a self-driven young lady who is a very good distance runner as she continues to prove year after year. What impresses me about Odessa is when she sets a goal for herself, and she puts in a tremendous amount of time and effort to accomplish that goal. No matter if it’s achieving something in sports or in the classroom, she will always give her best.”
Robert White is someone who saw what she was capable of and pushed her to do what she wanted to do. “Odessa Arce started running in Shawano schools as a freshman a little over a year ago,” said Robert. “She was a regular at Summer Run Club much of summer between grades 8 and 9 and again this past summer. One of the hardest working female distance runners I’ve ever been around. Everything she is involved in is ‘full steam ahead.’ Many of her workouts in Run Club, CC, and track are done with the boy’s team. Odessa is a very good student and a very polite young lady. She is outgoing and always looking to help her teammates out with whatever they need. She has a bright distance running career ahead of her.”
Joe Guenther is Odessa’s track coach and he is at every Cross Country meet and also encourages her during the off-season. Joe Guenther said: “Odessa is not afraid of hard work and always willing to put in the extra miles in the off season that is takes to be successful. In season she pushes herself and her teammates in workouts and strives to be the best. Over the past year she has had to overcome injury and illness that caused her to miss critical training time, and still is able to bounce back and be one of the top runners in our region. She just missed qualifying for state in CC & track as a freshman, and I anticipate her learning from last year and qualifying for both this year. Her work ethic carries over to the classroom, where she is an honor student. This combination should lead her to success in the future, where I expect to see her complete at the next level in college. Some of her volunteer activities include serving her tribe last year as the veteran’s powwow princess, and has serving as a guide for disabled athletes in the Goody Triathlon. “
“Since she started as a freshman she has been a leader not only with her running abilities but communicating and encouraging other team members to strive for their best,” said Steve Stomberg, current cross country coach. “Odessa works hard in the offseason and knows that hard work pays off at the end. Last year she sat out with injuries and was cleared to finally run in conference and sectionals. She helped our girls’ team win the Bay Conference Meet the first time in school history. She is leading our team into our sectional meet Saturday as our top runner. Odessa has the mind set and ability to continue to become very successful in her future running years.”
