Semoball Awards: Notre Dame’s Lauren Eftink has big evening at 2023 Semoball Awards

Lauren Eftink heard her name called not once, but twice at the 2023 Semoball Awards presented by SoutheastHEALTH on Friday, July 14, at LaCroix Church in Cape Girardeau.

Eftink was first awarded with the Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year and just a few awards later, was awarded with the Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

“I’m super happy,” Eftink said. “It’s an honor to even be nominated twice so two receive both of them is crazy.”

In the spring track season, Eftink finished sixth in the girls’ 1600m with a time of 5:12.92.

In the fall cross country season, Eftink impressed by becoming a repeat All-Stater for the Bulldogs, only the third girl in the program's history to be All-State more than once. She ran 19:26.7 to take 11th place.

“It’s a long season for us,” Eftink said. “We basically have two of the same season. It’s really rewarding and it really makes me feel good to know it all paid off in the end.”

Eftink said her training regiment consists of “a lot of running”.

“It’s mainly just go out there and run,” Eftink said. “You just have to go and have fun with everybody.”

While some athletes may go through periods of complacency or difficulty motivating themselves, Eftink said she doesn’t really have that problem.

“I actually really love running,” Eftink said. “It’s just really nice and a great little brain break which is super fun. It’s easy to do something when you love it.”

One of the most impressive parts of Eftink’s accomplishments is the fact she is just now entering her senior season this coming school year with the Bulldogs.

“It makes me super excited to see what I can do,” Eftink said. “I know we’re dropping classes so it’s going to be exciting to see how that all turns out.”

For some people, recognition and awards can lead to a complacent mindset, but Eftink sees it as the opposite.

“It makes me realize I have a lot more to do,” Eftink said. “I have a name now and I have to work to keep pushing myself to be even better.”

As off-season training continues, Eftink and the Bulldogs have their sights set on the cross country season opening meet at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 2 at the Memphis Twilight Classic.