Rivers stays grounded amid continued success

By Mary Albl For DyeStat  

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Hands on her knees and head bent down, Danae Rivers' body language exudes exhaustion. It is a Saturday afternoon at the Floyd Little Athletic Center and the senior from Wilbur Cross High (Conn.) has just placed a rare second in the 1,600 meters at the Connecticut Class L State Indoor Track Championships. The loss came on the heels of a blazing 2:52.97 in the 1,000 about 30 minutes earlier.  

After a long few seconds of catching her breath, Rivers lifts her head back up. A warm smile forms on her face and she walks over to pat the back of race-winner Mia Nahom from New Milford.  

“I know she's fine when she's finished a race and able to walk around and congratulate everybody,” Cross coach Travis Gale said of Rivers. “When she does that, she's OK mentality, physically and emotionally.” 

Despite her first loss in the event against in-state competition in nearly two years, Rivers was fine.  A quick nap energized her as she completed the day running the third leg of the 4x400 to help propel Cross into a tie for third place.  

“Not stressing or being rattled under pressure, it helps,” Gale said. “Her personality fits a great M.O. of an athlete that is going to perform.”

Rivers currently holds the third-fastest times in the country in the 600 (1:31.20), 800 (2:12.09) and 1,600 (4:53.88). She heads into the New England Championships on Sunday slated to run the 1,000, which she ran in a season-best 2:50.26 at the Connecticut State Open on Saturday. 

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“Humble. Loves pressure, thrives on it actually,” said Gale, describing Rivers. “She's such a nice person.”  

Rivers, who has been running competitively since grade school, will move on this fall to Penn State. She describes herself as laid back, creative, energetic and someone who enjoys a competitive environment. That's part of the reason she's been able to have success in track at such a high level throughout her entire racing career.  

“I don't let a lot of things get to me,” Rivers said. “I hope for the best with things.”

That positive and determined persona comes from her upbringing. Both her parents ran. Her father, David, competed for the University of New Haven in the 1980s.  

Rivers started the New Haven Age Group Track Club when she was 8 and competed in the Junior Olympics and broke a few national records in her division.  

Rivers is also motivated by her older brother, Andrew.

“He's special needs," Rivers said. "Honestly, it keeps me humble to know that there are other people who live in the world, and they are special too. He's helped me a lot. I've learned a lot of lessons. (But) that's also been a blessing.”

Thrust into a position of responsibility at a young age, Rivers has grown up with a different perspective than most of her peers.  

“He's funny,” Rivers said. “Oh my gosh, he's funny. Family is a blessing. I mean, that's all you have.”

Rivers' younger sister, Leah, a junior on the track team, is also someone she calls a blessing. The two are almost inseparable at track meets and the sisters are usually together, talking and laughing. 

“They are hilarious,” Gale said. “I dislike it when they get started because once one starts, the other is going to back the other one up, and it's a no-win for me.”

While the coach gets to see the outgoing side of Rivers daily, what he cherishes the most are the non-sport moments. 

“I really enjoy a conversation that is just about her,” he said. “Because we are all people, we all have our own lives, and I truly enjoy a conversation that is just that one-on-one, 'How are doing? How's school? How's life?' She's such a nice person.”

That open communication is another reason Rivers continues to make progress season after season. By choosing Penn State, she is following the path of fellow Cross graduate Cas Loxom. 

“She's a learner,” Gale said. “She wants to better herself. The way she adapts to a race and then she hits another gear that she has. (Distance) coach Kiara Bonilla has done an amazing job with her.”

Rivers now has her sights set on New Englands, and after that, she'll focus on the 800 meters at the New Balance Nationals Indoor in March. 

A few weeks ago, Rivers finished second in the 600 at the Armory Track Invitational, racing against Samantha Watson and Sarah Walker. Those three, who all ran against one another during outdoors in 2015, will likely face off again in the 800 at nationals. Rivers holds the Connecticut state 800 outdoor state record (2:05.86) and is targeting a sub-2:05. 

Regardless of how the final two meets play out, Rivers will consider them a success if she can finish with a smile and feeling like it was a good day.  

“Those are my favorite memories of her (so far),” Gale said. “When she’s proud of what she’s accomplished, win or lose.”