Biography
Full name: Luke D. Lovelace
Date of birth: April 29, 1990
Brothers/Sisters: Erin- 18, Spencer- 19, and Ben- 22
Event Pr's: 1600- 4:20 3200- 9:41 800- 1:57 (split) 400- 54 (split)
Hobbies: Hunting, Fishing, and Hanging out with friends
Academic interest: AP US History
scrunners: When did you start to compete in cross country and track and field?
lovelace: I started to run in seventh grade.
scrunners: Does or did any of your family members run?
lovelace: My sister Erin ran for Chapin and was on two State Championship teams (2002 and 2003). Ben also ran for Chapin and was an all-state cross country runner. My father, Oscar, ran one year in high school and now is a recreational runner.
scrunners: Do you remember your first race? Explain. How old were you and how did you do?
lovelace: My first cross-country race was time trials in the seventh grade. I made varsity but threw up the last 100-meters.
scrunners: What kind of training did you undergo this past summer?
lovelace: I ran over 400 miles.
scrunners: Did you attend a running camp?
lovelace: No, but I plan to in the future.
scrunners: Explain a week's workout for you and Chapin?
lovelace: Mondays- Intervals, Tuesday- pre-race run (three to five miles), Wednesday- usually race day, Thursday- long mileage run (six to eight miles), Friday- “Dolly” aka hill workout (six to eight).
scrunners: What kind of individual goals have you set for the season?
lovelace: My main goal is to qualify for Footlocker Nationals, but short term goals include winning state as a team and individual.
scrunners: Do you see yourself or another runner in the state getting close to the 14:37 state record, held by David Adams?
lovelace: Yes, because South Carolina runners are running faster and I would like to break the record, if possible.
scrunners: What kind of team goals has Chapin set?
lovelace: Winning state in 3A and improving times every race.
scrunners: Explain your race at Coaches Classic, being the only runner to break 16-minutes.
lovelace: It was a good feeling, but I was hoping that I would be able to run against Chad Holt (Mauldin) and Stefan Shealy (Broome).
scrunners: Did you have a specific strategy going into the race?
lovelace: I run as hard as I can and do it for God’s glory.
scrunners: Where do you see high school running going in the state?
lovelace: The times are coming down and the competition is getting harder.
scrunners: What do you think runners and coaches need to do to help the sport continue to grow?
lovelace: By training harder and coaches encouraging runners that they can be great.
scrunners: What has been your most challenging race? Explain. What was the outcome?
lovelace: Lexington County meet because I got a really bad cramp and I had to battle through it and finish the race. I was able to hold on and finish first.
scrunners: Have you ever met a professional athlete?
lovelace: I met Allen Johnson in the DMV and he told me to “train hard and set my goals high."
scrunners: With about a month in the season left, how will your training be altered?
lovelace: We will taper off, so that we can peak at state.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured? Explain.
lovelace: Yes, I have had tendonitis.
scrunners: How did you stay in shape and motivated during this time?
lovelace: I took time off and kept a positive attitude.
scrunners: Besides running, do you incorporate cross training into your weekly schedule?
lovelace: Yes, I have a weightlifting class.
scrunners: Who has been your biggest individual competitor this season?
lovelace: Everyone because you never know what can happen in a race.
scrunners: Does Chapin have any team rivals? If so, how did these rivals develop?
lovelace: Yes, Dreher because they used to be in our region.
scrunners: What kind of team or individual tradition do you have prior to a race?
lovelace: We say the Lord’s Prayer before each race and sometimes have spaghetti dinners before big races.
scrunners: As a junior and leading the state, what inspires you to get out the door daily for life and athletics?
lovelace: Knowing that everyday is a new day and trying to live a happy and Christian life.
scrunners: Are you looking to run in college in the future?
lovelace: Yes.
scrunners: Have you thought about being a coach? If so, what level and why?
lovelace: A little bit, but I don’t really think I will be.
scrunners: What do you look for in a coach and what do you expect a coach to look for in you?
lovelace: Everything Coach Legrand has… including a moustache.
scrunners: At the conclusion of the cross country season, how much rest do you normally take before preparing for track?
lovelace: A week.
scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
lovelace: Go to the Olympics and do all things for God’s Glory.
Chapin Coach Jack LeGrand talks about Lovelace
scrunners: How did Luke come about joining the cross country team?
legrand: I have coached Lukes older brother (senior at Winthrop) and older sister (freshman at Clemson) so I've known the Lovelace family for over 10 years. I've been aware of Luke's special talent since he ran a sub-6 minute mile in the fourth grade.
scrunners: How do you explain his development over the years?
legrand: Luke is very coachable and is a student of running as well. What we've tried to do is let him have fun and increase his training load as he develops physically.
scrunners: What kind of impact do you see Luke making on the Chapin team?
legrand: Luke is a humble person who is totally team oriented. His work ethic and his support of team members of both genders has helped to give this team a better focus . This is one of the most enjoyable groups of athletes I've ever coached and part of that is the fact that no matter how successful Luke is as an individual runner he always puts team first, he has a great sense of humor and is well-rounded and we have fun.
scrunners: What do you see Luke and the Chapin team achieving in the future?
legrand: Our goals are the same every year to work towards being the best we can over the year. Our focus is process not end. Luke and everyone else on the team is ahead of where they were this time last year and I would hope next year we would continue to improve. I believe Luke will continue to bring his times down next year.