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When Annette Fare arrived on the Montcalm Community College campus last year, she had already made a name for herself as being the first high school athlete to sign a letter of intent with the college’s rejuvenated athletics department.

Having already established a small piece of MCC sports history, the Greenville High School Class of 2023 cross country runner didn’t stop there.

This year she became the Centurions’ first two-year runner, as no other runners from “Year Zero” last year returned. Even more impressive is she is the first MCC female athlete to qualify for nationals, which will be held at Pole Green Park in Richmond, Virginia, Saturday, Nov. 9.

To qualify for nationals, Fare, 19, had to finish a race under 21 minutes, which she did at the Raider-Knight Invite at Aquinas College’s Gainey Complex Sept. 13, finishing with a time of 20:50. Her personal best is 20.27.

Fare also came in first place at the conference championship, however, because MCC is still in its probationary period at the Michigan Community College Athletic Association until 2025, she was not eligible to claim the title officially.

With this being her last year at MCC and having already reached all of her goals, Fare’s only goal moving forward is to just enjoy the moment – at nationals and at MCC.

As far as what she thinks of her legacy at MCC once she leaves, Fare said she thinks of that often.

“This is something I spent a lot of time thinking about,” she said. “My legacy is helping this school bring sports back and there’s a lot of pride in that, in being an MCC athlete. “Having sports back here, I think maybe someone’s grandparent was an athlete here and it brings back memories. It’s really being a part of something that started back up and that has been a great honor.”

Fare, who has been enrolled at MCC since she was a high school sophomore, only began running cross country because a shoulder injury prevented her from playing volleyball. When she arrived at MCC, she was still “green” with experience in the sport, but according to MCC Cross Country Head Coach Kevin Sweeney, Fare has blossomed into one of the school’s best athletes.

“She’s been an absolute treasure to be on this team,” Sweeney said. “Everything about her is work ethic and leadership qualities. She’s a great person, a great student and a great athlete. We’re going to have some big shoes to fill when she moves on from MCC.”

Since coming to campus, Fare has shown improvement on at a rapid pace, but Sweeney said it’s her understanding the preparation and mental fortitude of staying in shape and keeping her body healthy that has been most impressive this year.

“She has a better understanding of the sport,” Sweeney said. “This year, she’s had nagging injuries and she’s learned to scale back when her body doesn’t want to do it on that given day. She’s learned she can come back the next day and run harder, longer and stronger.”

Fare realized cross country running has just as much to do with mental strength as it does with physical.

“What cross country has taught me is just how to be mentally tough,” she said. “That’s the biggest curve for any athlete, really, that mental strength. Whether it’s school or work or sports, you have to learn how to work through things that are difficult. Racing is difficult, but if you can talk yourself through it, you can eventually motivate yourself through it.”

That mentality has helped Fare be able to not only overcome injury, but excel in the sport to the point she’s representing MCC at nationals.

“What a great way to cap off her two-year career,” Sweeney said. “I’m excited for her to have earned that opportunity. With her hard work ethic and being committed to the program for both years, that’s the culture we’re trying to build. So she’s leaving here with a really good impression.”

 Looking back at what she has been able to accomplish, Fare said she didn’t’ do it alone.

“I’m grateful for all the coaches I had and have now,” she said. “I owe my high school coaches a big tribute because they coached me how to run. And when I saw that moment of improving, it really inspired me and then in college I saw an opportunity.

“Being able to go out like I am this year, it’s been exciting,” she added. “And it’s been very exciting building this program up for the last two years.”

Fare plans to attend Ferris State University to study business administration next fall. Her parents are Andrea Lisagor and Steve Brown and Eric and Amber Fare.