Meet Virginia Kraus

Four Colonial League titles, four District XI titles and four PIAA State championships and 24-45 XC Gatorade cross-country player of the year, are the notable achievements of Saucon Valley runner and Dartmouth commit Virginia Kraus. To start off this story of this Pennsylvania state history maker, I spoke with Virginia about what initiated this journey.

“I started running with my parents when I was really young (both of them are runners),” she said, “but I didn’t really start training until about fourth grade when I met Coach K at the Hellertown pool and he told me I should try SV summer running.

“I started having more success when I was like 10-11ish, and I think it was because I learned the value of hard work. It also really helped me to focus in school as it got out a lot of my excess energy, so I stuck with it and running quickly became the highlight of my day.”

As well as being an extraordinary runner, Kraus enjoys other sports as well, such as ice hockey, mountain biking, ultimate Frisbee, snowboarding and skateboarding. “One of my biggest regrets in life is that I didn’t keep playing hockey at a high level due to a hip injury,” she says. “On the ice, I can see exactly where I have to put the puck to complete a pass or take a shot, so it’s always been a sport I love.”

Running is a sport based solely on the individual. Kraus has many superstitions that she has for her races that support her.

“I think a lot of racing is having the right mindset,” she explains, “and sometimes the difference between a good mindset and a bad mindset is being a little bit delusional and relying on superstition to reassure yourself that you are going to have a great race.

“My biggest cross-country season tradition is dedicating a song to each workout I do during the season, and then putting them all into a playlist to listen to before big races. The purpose of this is to be able to reflect on the work I’ve put in to prepare myself, and reassure myself that I am ready for the race.”

She says she also has a distinct routine before her races to ensure a sense of order and confidence.

“My prerace routine also includes doing 11 push-ups on the starting line, spinning in a circle, high-fiving my mom, praying with my coach, and giving fist bumps to the runners on my left and right before the race starts.”

Kraus has some thoughts on how she has developed athletically.

“I am here because of the great people I am surrounded by,” she says. “Coach K has been coaching me since fourth grade, and while many coaches thought that I would always have to settle for only being a decent runner because I am so short, Coach K just told me to keep working and that I would eventually achieve my goals.

“His faith in me and mine in God has helped me to believe I can achieve anything I put my mind to, and to not give up when things are hard,” she says. “My family has also played a big role, in the form of support from my parents and sibling rivalry with my brothers.

“If you asked me at states who my biggest competition was, I would have told you it was to beat my brother’s time. He [runs cross-country at The Hill School and] also had a race that day.”