Paige Comstock was devoted to cheerleading when she watched her fifth-grade brother, Riley, make his first foray into the running world. A year or so later, she entered fifth grade herself, knowing that she wanted to follow in his footsteps by competing for Edge Running Club.
They would each become a force to be reckoned with.
This cross country season, Riley is ranked eighth in Georgia and became the fourth-fastest sophomore in state history, and Paige is a freshman. Although Riley was her inspiration for starting the sport, she says they now learn from each other not only every season but with every race.
As a middle schooler, Paige racked up victories at local races such as the 2022 Microsoft Peachtree Junior as well as winning seven Georgia Middle School state titles in cross country and in track and field at 1,600 meters, 3,200 meters and 2 miles. She was also the first athlete to achieve back-to-back victories in the Youth 3K at the Wingfoot XC Classic presented by Publix. In September, the Harrison High School freshman jumped from the youth events at Wingfoot XC Classic to racing in the most competitive race of the meet, the Girls Championship 5K, and placed fourth - the only freshman in the Top 15.
When did you know that you wanted to try the sport?
I watched my brother go through cross country, and at the time I was in cheerleading. But when the [COVID-19] pandemic hit and cheer was canceled, I decided it was time for me to try running and I ended up falling in love with it.
When did you begin to take it seriously?
Pretty much right as I started. My parents weren't exactly runners [although her father was a pole vaulter and her mother ran track and cross country when they were young], but we are all very competitive and dedicated, so I knew I wanted to be really good at it. People would tell me that I was fast, but I would think "well, there's still people beating me." It was probably in sixth grade when I won the state championship in the mile and I thought, "Oh wait, I can be really good at this."
Is there someone who inspired and influenced you to get to that point?
Definitely the Edge Running Club coach, Andrew Windham. I don't think my brother and I would be as successful as we are today if it wasn't for him.
How's your first high school cross country season going?
It's pretty different. My middle school team was small with just me and a few other girls, but my high school team has over 100 kids. It was almost a hard switch having to go from a two mile to 5K and adjust my training accordingly, but I think I handled it pretty well. My teammates, especially the older girls on varsity, helped me a lot with that and welcomed me to the team right away.
What's your goal for the Cross Country State Championship coming up this weekend?
I'm feeling pretty confident going in. My goal is to place Top 10, which I think I have a good shot at doing, and I want to do the best I can for my team most of all.
What are your long-term goals in running?
I absolutely want to run in college. My dream school right now is Wake Forest and I'd love to compete in NCAA meets.
What was your experience like going from racing, and winning, the Youth 3K at Wingfoot XC Classic to jumping straight to the Girls Championship 5K?
The Championship race was pretty different, especially with it being late at night. It was a little hard to see and I even ended up tripping over the hay bales, but I recovered pretty quickly.
Do you have a favorite race you've ever competed in?
Oh, definitely Wingfoot [XC Classic] from this season.
Even after tripping over the hay bales?
Yes. Everything was electric - the crowd, the competition, it was all just amazing.
