MileStat.com\'s Brandon Miles interviews Footlocker South champion Aurora Scott as the homeschooled junior from Chesapeake broke the 20 year old course record held by fellow Virginia Erin Keogh of Langley (16:45, 1986) by a considerable 19 second margin with her final time of 16:26. After the win and course record time, Scott has to be considered as one of the favorites for Foot Locker Nationals to be held on Saturday, December 9th in San Diego, California at Balboa Park (even with defending champ Jordan Hasay of California returning).
Audio Version of Interview
MileStat.com: Aurora, coming in Kathy Kroeger had been considered probablythe race favorite because of a big Great American victory and some of the performances she had so far this season. What were your thoughts coming in and how you thought you could do here today?
Scott: Well I thought I\'d do just what I\'ve been training to do. I know what I\'ve done in practice. Rankings don\'t mean anything. I just go out there and run my own race. Whatever happens, happens.
MileStat.com: You\'ve had some pretty impressive races this season such as the 1:18 half marathon and a couple of your 5K races. Coming into today, did those races give you a barometer gauge of what you could do today and go after possibly a former great high school runner in Erin Keogh\'s course record?
Scott: Well I wasn\'t really pleased with most of the races like the half marathon. I didn\'t really train for that and I was disappointed with the time. I knew from my training that I was ready to break the record.
MileStat.com: Now as a three-time Foot Locker finalist, what have the past two years given you as far as experience going to San Diego this time around?
Scott: One thing is just to keep my head up and book it. In the past, I really did not think I was really there. This year I\'m definitely focused and know what I need to do.
MileStat.com: How did you feel the race plan went for you? The race went out pretty quick with a 5:15 first mile believe and then you guys went through the two mile fast as well. Where did you end up making your move on Kroger?
Scott: I started at about 1200 meters out. I picked up the pace and carried it through and just do what I do in practice. It didn\'t feel any different to me. I felt very confident.
MileStat.com: Looking ahead to two weeks, you have got a lot of good girls out there including defending champ Jordan Hasay, but do you feel you could have a really high finish there? Last year you finished ninth. Do you feel you can finish top three or better?
Scott: Honestly, I\'m going out there to win it. I\'m not thinking about anybody else. Just run my own race like I did today.
MileStat.com: The course record you broke today was held by a girl that ran a 10:03 2 mile and won twice at Balboa Park as a Foot Locker Nationals champion, so does that give you confidence that you\'ve beaten a time by a former champion going into nationals?
Scott: I didn\'t need to break the record to have the confidence that I could do it. I have done my practices and know what I\'ve done in my practices. I know I am at that level or better.
MileStat.com: Well I wish you the best of luck next week in San Diego and hope you can represent the South region as well as the state of Virginia very well.
Scott: Yeah I hope so. I think I definitely will.
MileStat.com\'s Brandon Miles interviews Footlocker South champion Aurora Scott as the homeschooled junior from Chesapeake broke the 20 year old course record held by fellow Virginia Erin Keogh of Langley (16:45, 1986) by a considerable 19 second margin with her final time of 16:26. After the win and course record time, Scott has to be considered as one of the favorites for Foot Locker Nationals to be held on Saturday, December 9th in San Diego, California at Balboa Park (even with defending champ Jordan Hasay of California returning).
Audio Version of Interview
MileStat.com: Aurora, coming in Kathy Kroeger had been considered probablythe race favorite because of a big Great American victory and some of the performances she had so far this season. What were your thoughts coming in and how you thought you could do here today?