Oak Park runner wins Future Track scholarship

Lisa Rotenstein of Oak Park High has won the Future Track Running Club of Agoura Hills 2007 Scholarship Competition.

Rotenstein participated in four years of track at Oak Park and three summers of cross country. During her senior year, she was the captain of the OPHS track team.

"Running has taught me that my abilities do not have limits," she said. "I can be a scholar, yes. But my years of running have made me an athlete, too, confident in my own abilities."

Rotenstein said she loves the thrill of the sport "because the wind, the air, the hazy-eyed push toward a last hundred meters, toward another half mile, toward my personal finish line is one of the most beautiful things high school has given me," she said.

"Running is my release, my path to a healthy lifestyle, my friendship, my understanding of the word 'team,'" Rotenstein said.

At the Oak Park cross country and track banquet, Rotenstein received a $2,000 scholarship for her continuing education. She will attend Harvard in the fall.

Each year the Future Track Running Club sponsors a scholarship competition for cross country and/or track and field athletes who are in their senior year of high school.

Schools included in the competition were Agoura, Calabasas, Grace Brethren, La Reina, Liberty Christian, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Oak Park, Oaks Christian, Royal, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Viewpoint and Westlake.

Selection criteria included participation in cross country and/or track and field for at least two years, at least a 3.0 GPA and admission to a program of continued education.

In addition, all applicants submitted a 500word essay describing the influence that cross country and/or track and field have had on their life and how the experiences gained in this sport have affected their overall high school experience.

For more information on the Future Track Running Club and its programs, contact the Future Track Running Center at (818) 991-4786.

Information provided by Karri Olefirowicz, publicist for the Future Track Running Club