Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Jasmine France

By the time dust had settled at the Out-of-Door Invitational on Oct. 18, Sarasota girls' cross country stood atop the podium. Jasmine France was first among the Sailors to cross the finish line. The junior placed third in a field of 63 runners at the 3-mile race with a mark of 20:02.4, clocking in nearly 30 seconds faster than the team's average on the day. Three of her teammates notched top-10 finishes — senior Aubri Antczak in fifth (20:08.9), sophomore Annabella Cicilioni in sixth (20:12.2) and junior Zoe Zondor in seventh (20:15.5). France's team-best performance earns her selection as the Sarasota Athlete of the Week.

When and why did you start running?

So my dad, he actually had a heart attack in 2016, so he started running to stay in shape. And of course, he couldn't leave me at home, so that's kind of how it started — me running at (Nathan) Benderson (Park) with him.

What do you enjoy most about competing in this sport?

The girls. I love hanging out with them and running with them. They're such a good group and they're always just so funny. They always make me smile.

What's your all-time favorite cross country memory?

I feel like every single race is a memory.

What's been the most humbling moment of your running career?

Knowing that people who I used to beat are now minutes ahead of me. It just doesn't sit right with me.

What have been your goals for your junior season with Sarasota?

I hadn't broken 20 minutes in a couple of years, so my goal for this year was to come in and break 20 — to run a 19 again. I've done that, so goal accomplished.

What's been a recent focus of yours in practice and preparing for competition?

Previous years, I have really been down in the mental side of running, so the goal is just to get through the workouts and not tell myself I can't do it, and not quit during them.

When you're not running, how do you spend your free time?

I do a lot of online shopping, but I never really buy anything.

What's one quote, if any, that you live your life by?

"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."

If you could meet any professional athlete, who would you meet and why?

It would probably be Allison Felix, because she's one of the greatest 400-meter runners of all time, and that's my track race. So it has to be her.

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?

Probably Thailand. There's no real reason to it, but it just looks like a very fun place to go with all their street food and night life.

If you were stuck on a desert island with only one item, what would you bring and why?

Well, if it's an island, I'd probably say water. You've got to stay hydrated.

What's your favorite movie?

10 Things I Hate About You.

What's your favorite meal?

I love Thai food, so anything that's curry or noodles, I'll eat.

What's your go-to music while running?

Anything that's on Spotify. Anything that's up, I'll just click shuffle. If (our team) had to pick one song, it would be The Fox (What Does The Fox Say?).

Finish this sentence. Jasmine France is...

Blunt.