What was your most memorable race/competition?
Winning the Conference 11 JV cross country championship race for sure, I've never been too much of a cross country runner and I had been injured for part of the season which is why i had been placed in the JV event. It wasn't until halfway through the race, which I had been leading from start to finish, that I noticed that I could actually win it. The support I received from my teammates was tremendous and certainly reminded me why I love this sport so much. Winning this race also boosted me to running in the Varsity event at the Southern Region and 5A State meets.
Where did you face your biggest competition? or What was your favorite meet and why?
My favorite meet I've ever run in was probably the Outdoor Capital District meet my freshman year. My coaches had put me on as anchor leg for our sub 8 4x800 team to give senior Cody Snyder a break before he raced the next day. Being the only freshman on a relay of Seniors is a pretty scary thing but I think I handled it pretty well. We ended up finishing second with me running a 2:05 split and finishing a stride and a half back from the leader, this race definitely put me on the map.
If you could, what would you do differently with your high school running career?
I would take care of my earlier injuries from my sophomore year a lot more than I did, I had run on my first set of shin splints for weeks before I even told my coaches, which is probably why I got a stress fracture and my shin splints keep coming back.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
There is no individual achievement that adds up to winning team titles, my favorite achievement is being apart of the Lee-Davis team that was able to win the Outdoor Conference, Regional, and State championships, it's truly a great feeling that the seniors had been working four or five years to achieve.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Injuries for sure, since my sophomore year I've struggled with reoccurring shin splints, a stress fracture or two, and knee pain. I feel if I had been able to avoid a few of the injuries I've had my career may have gone on an entirely different path.
What was your most difficult workout?
That would probably have to be my eighth grade year, to be honest, it was pouring down rain the entire day and we had around 20 reps of 400s on the track. I'm not sure if it was hard just because I was in eighth grade or if it was actually hard, but I will never forget that workout.
What will you miss the most?
I'll certainly miss the team atmosphere that the LD track team has always provided. I could never have asked for better teammates or coaches.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals?
Coach Neil Mathews has not only coached me on the track but I believe he has made me a better person as well. My favorite quote that he's ever told me was, "If a bad race is the worst thing that's ever happened to you, you're going to have a heck of a life." Coach Mathews has always been someone whom I look up to and can always go to for advice.
What are your plans for college?
I will be attending the University of Alabama where I will be majoring in Journalism. I am still debating whether or not to walk-on track or try a different club sport, but I will certainly find something to do.
What is your advice for an incoming freshman running/competing in the same events as you did?
Push it to the limit in everything you do, challenge the older kids in practice and show your coaches you have guts. Don't just run with your buddies, find a group the same pace as you. Most importantly, have fun with it, you should always be having fun and be excited for practice and meets, especially when it's a hill workout!
Shout Outs?
Shout out to the entire 5A state championship Lee-Davis track team I will miss every single one of you, and also to Brian Mejia, creator of the 20 dollar Subway sandwich.
If you are a senior and or know a senior that would be interested in be featured on MileStat then take a look at this and simply fill out these questions!
Once these questions are filled out email them and a couple pictures of you to Njez@Milesplit.com and we will feature you on the front page of MileStat!