Plant City High senior Diana Corzine has a passion for playing soccer, but running cross country in high school has improved her game. She finished first on her team at the East Hillsborough County Invitational with a time of 22:46, placing 11th overall. She plans to play soccer for Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tenn., where all three of her older sisters attended.
What got you into cross country?
One of my sisters was an amazing runner starting in middle school, and I just always looked up to all of my sisters. So, when she started playing soccer, I took on that when I was 6 and then started running as soon as I was old enough.
Obviously, the two sports go hand in hand, so how has running benefited your soccer?
My competitive soccer team calls me the ‘Energizer Bunny’ sometimes, because I have a higher fitness level than a lot of the girls, especially coming into the season.
What are your goals this cross country season?
My goal for the season is to get my time under 20 minutes, so anything under that, even if it’s 19:59, that would be amazing.
Do you run track as well?
I did my first two years, but last year, the academic side got to be too much. Being a student is more important than being an athlete, so when something has to give, it will always be athletics.
The PCHS soccer team had a strong season last year, so what would you like to build on this season?
I want to go even further. Through the years, the team has gotten closer and closer. When I came in as a freshman, I was a part of a big group, and that’s kind of been the core of the team. Now, we’re the leaders. This year could be the best yet.
You’ve had three cross country coaches and several soccer coaches. What has been the toughest part of that?
Every time, I’m worried that the coach may make us apply ourselves but not do that much for the team. It turned out that every new coach has been amazing.
What’s your plans for the future?
I am in the process of applying to Trevecca Nazarene. It’s where all three of my sisters went, and I’m accepting a soccer scholarship, as well.
Are any of your sisters still up there?
All three of them will actually be up there for a few years. One is working on campus, and one is going to graduate school at Vanderbilt. Christina is still at Trevecca.