Luke's Athlete Profile
What was your most memorable race/competition?
(Threeway Tie) Running my 9:17 3200m PR for the win with some big competition and the school record on my own track at the Northern Virginia Invitational, and beating the sprinters 4x400m team at the end of the 2013 Ram Invitational with John Tolbert, James Mangahas, and Brendan O’Connell. Also, being a of team that set four boys distance records for the school. John Tolbert with his 4:12.07, Nathan Schulte with his 1:51.94, me with my 9:17, and we also did the DMR at New Balance Indoor Nationals. We only ran 10:43 because the baton was knocked out of John's hand, but we still set a record and it was definitely worth it. We were also somewhat close to the 4x800m record with a 7:54. Also, John, Nathan, and I were all under 4:20 in the 1600m, something no other team in the state had this year.
Where did you face your biggest competition? or What was your favorite meet and why?
There wasn't really a meet where I had my biggest competition. They were all the same considering that running against other people and teams from the Concorde District and Northern Region. It's been great having an amazing team to train with everyday though, and I know that I've been lucky to have that. My favorite meet was when we went down to Disney World and won. It wasn't just the meet, we also went to the park and it was awesome. It didn't have Shrek though.
If you could, what would you do differently with your high school running career?
Not get a grade four stress fracture sophomore year and take care of myself better (watching how much sleep I get and what I eat). Also training as hard as possible.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
Running 9:17 and being ranked 22nd in the country for the freshman 3200m.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Being injured as mentioned above. Also not improving in the 3200m for almost three years until the 9:17.
What was your most difficult workout?
Not really sure. Anything where I had to run 4 flat pace or faster was always very difficult for me. But I did for Shrek.
What will you miss the most?
Being behind Nick Hite. Also soccer tennis before practice and stopping my teammates watches on runs.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals?
Without my coaches I wouldn't have been able to accomplish what I've been able to accomplish. I'm very lucky to have Coach Lewis and Coach Coffield all four years of high school. Shrek has also been very important in this journey, nothing I accomplish in any endeavor is without Shrek's help.
What are your plans for college?
I will be running for the University of Kentucky
What is your advice for an incoming freshman running/competing in the same events as you did?
Put as much time into running as you can and minimize the stress and time put on anything else, especially school. Brain Training for Runners by Matt Fitzgerald says “There is a limit to the amount of stress anyone can handle, so the more non-running related stress there is in your life, the less running you will be able to handle without experiencing overtraining fatigue”. Also have fun with it, this is the only four years of high school you get with your team so enjoy it.
Shout Outs?
Everyone on RDE (Robinson Distance Elite) and Coach Lewis, Coffield, and Lindenblad.
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