Kelsey Hunt started running competitively in sixth grade. A year later she experienced several episodes of short breath and fatigue while participating in track workouts.

She was diagnosed soon thereafter with sports-induced asthma. But Hunt hasn’t let a little shortness of breath slow her down.

The junior, who competes in both cross country and track and field, has done quite the opposite.

Each of her first three years at Manchester West High School, Hunt finished in the top three in the Class L meet, the top 10 at the New Hampshire Meet of Champions, and qualified for the New England regional race, where she placed among the top 50 each year.

In fact, Hunt finished 27th as a freshman and 21st as a sophomore, good enough for All-New England recognition.

That doesn’t mean success has come easily, and it doesn’t mean all races go smoothly.

Most recently, at the 2007 New England meet Nov. 10, Hunts’s asthma acted up. She finished 47th, still in the top quarter of all entrants, but below her expectations.

“Most of the big races haven’t been too hot or too cold, which usually affects my breathing. Earlier in the week, before the (New England) meet, I didn’t take my asthma medication, and the cold weather and everything didn’t help,” she said, adding that rainy days are ideal because of the moisture in the air. “It wasn’t one of my best performances. I guess I just had an off day.”

But the off days are few and far between.

“She’s an ideal racer,” said her coach, Paula Schulz. “I would say she runs a smart race. Most racers have a plan in their head – the way they think it’s going to go – and when it doesn’t work out that way they sometimes fall apart. Kelsey goes out there, and she reacts well no matter what happens.”

In addition, Schulz said Hunt is a hard worker with a fantastic attitude, which helps her consistently finish races with a flourish.

Still, while most female runners face a growing and changing body in high school, often resulting in a decline in ability from freshman to senior years. Hunt has avoided the trap.

“A lot of times, freshman year, kids are pretty good, and they just haven’t gone through the changes to their bodies yet.

Then sophomore year a lot of kids struggle,” said Hunt. “I didn’t have the greatest (sophomore) year because I grew so much, but the girls who stick with it usually get better once they get to junior and senior year.”

Moreover, Schulz noted there is a maturity factor that, if realized, results in cross country success for upperclassmen.

“A lot of times the younger girls have talent, but if they don’t learn from their mistakes that can really slow them down,” she said. “Kelsey has the advantage of both. She has the talent and has learned from her experience, which has kept her very strong on the course.”

Hunt also makes small, yet constant, adjustments to her training routine to help her stay fresh and prepared, said Schulz.

Hunt said she simply loves running and the social aspect of participating with close friends.

The competitive spirit in her, said Schulz, keeps her among the best, despite the asthma and other challenges.

Though the coach said New Hampshire runners are at a disadvantage at the regional meet because they run three weeks in a row while other states have two weeks off prior to the event, both she and Hunt agree that a top-10 finish is possible at the 2008 New England race. It takes place at Derryfield Park, West’s home course.