As a freshman two years ago, Alivia Bear was trying to hang on.

“It was difficult,“ recalled Bear. “I was trying to get down my stride and my time. I also was trying to keep up with the upperclassmen.

“But at the end of my freshman year, I was more confident and comfortable with everything. I felt a lot better about what I could do.”

Since then, Bear has had plenty of reasons to feel good. She had a consistent season last year, and finished seventh in both the 800 (2:53.03) and the 1,600 (5:43.43) at districts.

So far this season, Bear has been running both events with more of an emphasis in the 1,600. She also has been part of the team’s 4 x 400 relay team, which recently set a new team record.

Bear also has set her season mark in the 1,600 when she clocked a 5:49. Her personal best is 5:43.

“That’s the best I’ve run this year,” she said. “I want to get down to my PR and work to get even lower. I feel that I am running really well now, and can get there. I am able to keep everything in focus.”

Head coach Kyle Rusnock has watched Bear’s progression.

“She has been a hard worker since she joined the program,” said Rusnock. “Alivia has worked for everything she has earned. She has been looking good in the mile, and she can have a great finish to her season.”

Bear’s running career began when she joined the cross country team as a freshman. She figured it was time to be active in the fall with basketball in the winter and softball in the spring.

“As a freshman, I didn’t have a fall sport,” she said. “I never really minded running, and thought I would give it a try. It was hard running the distance at first, but I began to enjoy it.”

Once Bear realized what she could do, she wanted to take the next step.

“I started to have goals,” she noted. “I set them at the beginning of the season, and I knew I had to peak at the end.

“I was working through my challenges, and I felt pretty positive. I want to make improvements every week.”

Bear has begun to read her opponents.

“I remember girls who beat me and had a stronger kick at the end,” she stated. “I have a better sense of what kind of runners some girls are. I know better how to prepare for a race when I’m running against girls I know.”

She also sees herself in a leadership role.

“I would say that I am,” responded Bear about being in a leadership role. “I just have tried to lead by example. I know that’s how it was when I was a freshman. We have some runners who really could develop.”

This summer, Bear plans to keep busy running area 5Ks. She has run some races at Lehigh Parkway in the past.

Until then, Bear is ready to make her mark.

“I am on a good pace,” she said. “If I can stay consistent, I believe I can finish strong.”