Fortitude off the field for cross-country star
Jamie Secola • [email protected] • September 13, 2010

Crystal Wachob doesn't ever want to stop running. In fact, the standout cross-country and track athlete doesn't even like to think about it.
But persistent and severe exercise-induced asthma attacks have changed everything. In fact, the 2009 News Journal Female Athlete of the Year has found herself questioning whether she should continue in a sport that's been her passion since elementary school.
"It hurt mentally, but it (distance running) isn't just something that you work on for so long and then just stop," said Crystal, a Pine Forest senior. "You have to push through it, and even when a lot of people told me I could quit if I wanted to because I was having so many problems, I didn't.