MCLEANSVILLE — Navia Coles developed an affinity for track, having become a runner at age 4 and being inspired by her mother, who was pregnant with his daughter when she competed in masters’ events in California.

The Northeast Guilford senior didn’t start running cross country until freshman year, not because of desire but out of obligation. The Rams track program wanted its athletes to do it to make sure they stayed in-shape during the fall in preparation for the season.

Coles admits now that she didn’t take cross country seriously until this year, realizing that cross country conditioning could help her not only improve in track but also help her reach the ultimate goal of becoming a pilot.

When looking at college possibilities this summer, the University of Texas at Austin had an aer

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