By Don Ketchum

Sarah Fakler has been so successful in cross country that it’s difficult to imagine her beginning her career about 10 years ago with the shorter distances – the 100, 200 and 400.

“I didn’t really want to go more than one lap,’’ she said.

One of her club-team coaches then asked her to extend herself, to attempt longer races.

Fakler did quite well and her coach gave her a T-shirt that read, Made To Be a Distance Runner.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Fakler is going to do her best to create more history in her senior year at Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix.

She is seeking her third straight cross-country title and the Gators are looking to capture their sixth straight team championship.

“I don’t know why I didn’t think I could run long distances,’’ Fakler said.

She also runs the 1,600 and 3,200 at the state track and field meets, but prefers cross country.

“Cross-country races are longer and are nicer because you don’t run the same courses all the time and don’t do laps. It seems a lot more friendly,’’ Fakler said.

But friendliness only can go so far. After all, this is competition we’re talking about and it is Fakler’s goal to leave everyone in the dust.

“She is very competitive,’’ said Xavier co-head coach Jeff Messer. “She knows that you can’t be afraid. You have to be aggressive. She has a strong appetite for success.’’

Success also comes from being prepared, according to co-head coach Dave Van Sickle. That includes academics as well as athletics.

“She has such academic focus. She always has her nose in her book,’’ Van Sickle said. “Few things matter like running, academics and family matter to her.’’

Said Messer: “She is one of the most dedicated, organized student-athletes I’ve ever had the chance to work with. When you are that well-prepared, you always have a chance.’’

One of Fakler’s goals is to become a civil engineer. She wants to continue to run in college as she pursues her education. She has looked at Loyola-Marymount (Los Angeles), Duke, Virginia, USC, Georgia Tech and this weekend will be visiting the University of Portland (Ore.).

“I want to emphasize sustainability, new innovations, things you can use on a daily basis,’’ said Fakler, who is a member of the engineering club at Xavier.

That type of thinking creeps into her mind even when she is training with her teammates at various locations around the Valley.

“There are a lot of things I look at that have influenced places around Phoenix. An example would be solar panels,’’ she said.

While the sun continues to beat down and the weather remains hot, she and her teammates run before school, usually between 5 and 7 a.m. That means she usually is in bed by 8 p.m., “8:30 on a bad day,’’ she said.

Fakler was influenced by former Xavier teammate Jessica Tonn, who won the state cross-country meet when Fakler was a freshman. Tonn excelled in academics as well and now is at Stanford.

The toughest course she has run, she says, is at the Mt. SAC event in California.

“Killer hills,’’ she said.

The George Young meet in the central Arizona “had a lot of dusty hills,’’ she said.

And one of the most challenging courses is at Cave Creek Golf Course in north Phoenix, site of the state meet, because of its hills and the fact that the weather usually is warm.

She is looking forward to competing in the annual Twilight race in Gilbert at the end of September. The race begins around dusk, runners compete with glow sticks and there is a fireworks display.

Fakler enjoys that type of atmosphere, interacting with other runners and especially her teammates. They often gather for pasta parties before races.

When she won the state meet for the first time as a sophomore, Fakler spoke of trying to get off to a quick start. It is the same tactic she uses today, although Van Sickle has tried to get her to modify that approach somewhat.

“She wants to be as fast as she possibly can, but it’s also about pacing,’’ he said. “She sometimes lets her emotions get the best of her and gets out too fast. What we want her to do is finish with a fast last mile.’’

And Fakler in turn wants her teammates to finish as fast as possible.

“I always try to encourage them,’’ she said.

She also tries to pass along ideas about being disciplined in their approach and maintaining proper eating habits, although she finds it difficult to stay away from dark chocolate.

“We are looking forward to another good year,’’ Fakler said. “We’re going for No. 6. We just want to get out there and go.’’