MileStat.com\'s Brandon Miles interviews Buffalo Gap senior Mariah Hagadone after just coming off winning her first cross country state championship in the Group A girls race this past Saturday at Great Meadows for the VHSL State Cross Country Championships. Hagadone, finishing with a winnng time of 19:29 at Great Meadows, came in as the #3 ranked runner in Group A behind Brittany Killough of J.J. Kelly and Sophia Holmes of Clarke County. Hagadone is also the defending Group A state champion for 800 meters and has a 2:19 best in the event with a PR of 5:10 for 1600 meters as well.
MileStat.com: What were your expectations coming into the state meet after finishing second to Clarke County\'s Sophia Holmes at the Region B Meet?
Mariah Hagadone: I was hoping to place in the top three and hang with Holmes throughout the race. I knew some other great competitors would be vying for the state title.
MileStat.com: How do you think you prepared or race differently from the week before to get the win over Holmes?
Hagadone: I prepared better the week leading up to the state race than I did at regionals because I was abIe to keep to my training routine. Since I felt like the race at regionals was anything but my best, I was determined to try to finish my last high school race with a good race.
MileStat.com: What were your thoughts as you entered inside the gate into the long straightaway seeing the finish line and Holmes within sight?
Hagadone: Wow. Well at that point I was still in third place, right beside Killough. But after I passed her going around the turn I became really excited because I was gaining ground on Holmes. The realization that I could actually win the state race set in when I was only a couple of yards behind Holmes.
MileStat.com: In the rare opportunities this season that you have gotten a chance to compete against top runners from AAA and AA such as the Chancellor Invite and Albemarle Invite this season, you have risen to the occassion and beaten some great runners with runner-up finishes. Have these races been confidence boosters for you and do you get extra motivated when you are given the opportunity to race against AAA and AA runners?
Hagadone: Those races helped let me know where I am compared with the rest of the runners in the state. When I run well, it does help my confidence, but that goes for any race. I usually get pretty motivated about any race.
MileStat.com: The course and weather conditions affected every runner different it seemed at states. What seemed to affect you the most or slow you down?
Hagadone: The section on the course I thought affected me the most was the long hill in the second mile. I had just moved to third place but dropped to fourth on the hill. I was not so sure then of my chances of winning or placing in the top three. The weather was not a factor. I am fairly comfortable in any weather conditions.
MileStat.com: Last year you ran a 5K personal best at Foot Locker South breaking 19 minutes in 18:57. Do you plan to make a return trip to Charlotte this year and if so, do you have any goals set for yourself?
Hagadone: Yes, I am running Foot Locker again. I hope to better my PR time.
MileStat.com: As a senior, have you started to narrow down your list of schools? Are you looking to commit early or wait till later in the year?
Hagadone: I have committed to James Madison University. I am really looking forward to running in college. Go Dukes!
MileStat.com: What has been the reaction and response from those at your small Group A school this week after learning of your state championship?
Hagadone: Everyone was excited! No one in the history of the school had won the individual state cross country title, Girls or boys.