BY TIM PEELER

RALEIGH, N.C. - Laura Hoer remembers when she had doubts about whether she wanted to run cross country on the collegiate level.

She wasn't scared of the competition. She was just afraid it wouldn't be as much fun as being on the team at Asheville's T.C. Roberson High School, where she won the 2009 state 4-A individual cross country championship and several other state track titles.

She had seen some previous teammates go to college and not give their best effort. She would have rather given up the sport than compete like that.

"I thought it might be too hard, that it wouldn't be any fun," Hoer said. "I was completely wrong, to say the least. I am so happy with my decision to come here."

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