Biography information
Full Name: Matthew David Huckaby
Date of Birth: May 30, 1988
Brothers/Sisters: One brother- Cory, 15
Hobbies: Cycling, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Music
Personal Bests: 1600- 4:27.45, 3200- 9:52.71, 5k- 15:55, 10k- 35:01
Academic Interest: Exercise Science
scrunners: What were you thinking going into the state meet?
huckaby: I knew that I had a shot to win both the team and individual titles which was very exciting. The team title had been eluding us for a long time and winning it was my main concern.
scrunners: How did your race unfold at the state meet?
huckaby: When the gun went off I settled in where I wanted to be at the middle of the pack but my legs felt awful. At about the 1200 mark my legs started to feel better and I caught up with the leaders. We hit the mile in 5 minutes and I was glad to see three of my teammates around me. About 400-meters later (Josh) Walker made a move and I decided that it was time to go. (Chad) Holt, (Stuart) McDaniel, and (Mark) Blackman followed me and we stayed as a loose pack hitting the 2-mile in 10:05. With about 800 to go, the pack began to split apart, and I decided to hold back and wait to make my move. By the time I decided to make my move, the lead pack of three was too far ahead and I finished in fourth.
scrunners: Did you achieve what you wanted?
huckaby: It would have been great to win the individual title, but I am very happy with the team title and my best finish ever by far at state.
scrunners: Do your team achieve their goals?
huckaby: Our team achieved our goal of winning state for the first time in school history. Josh Mabry had a great race finishing seventh overall, which helped us greatly.
scrunners: At the starting line, what were you thinking and feeling?
huckaby: I was very nervous and just wanted to get it over with.
scrunners: Did your team do something the night before to stay motivated?
huckaby: On Thursday the guy\'s team went out to eat and on Friday night we had our last home football game so most of us went there.
scrunners: Over the season, what kind of training did you undergo, in preparation for state?
huckaby: Training for me starts the day after track ends. Over the summer I ran about 60-70 miles a week with one tempo run each week and on Saturday\'s I would do a two hour long run on trails followed by a faster 10-mile run on Sundays With the Rock Hill Striders. I also swim and bike for cross-training. When the season starts, the mileage drops to about 50-60 and I add an interval workout (usually 5x1200 to 1600 or a ladder) each week unless we have two races. For the two weeks before state I really cut back on my mileage and intensity.
scrunners: Are you running other cross country meets now that the season is over?
huckaby: Yes, Footlocker and possibly the Clemson Opener.
scrunners: Following the state meet, does your team celebrate?
huckaby: Yes, we were all very excited to win our first title. When we got back to Fort Mill we had a police escort through town which was a neat experience. Then we went and played basketball in the gym for hours.
scrunners: On the Sandhills course, where is the most challenging location? Explain.
huckaby: The downhill right after the half way point because if you take it to fast you will tear up your legs and not have anything for the big hill that follows it, but if you take the downhill cautiously you will lose a lot of ground.
scrunners: How much rest do you take after cross country?
huckaby: It depends. Some years I go running the day after the meet and other (years) I will take about a week off.
scrunners: Is this an active rest?
huckaby: Yes, I have trouble doing nothing active for a long time, I will go to the Y, ride my bike, play some disk, or something else active.
scrunners: Are you running track?
huckaby: Yes.
scrunners: What events are you thinking to run?
huckaby: Definitely the 1600, 3200 and 4x800. This year I would like to run the 800 a few times to try and post some good times. I would also like to try and qualify for the 5000 at Nike Outdoor Nationals.
scrunners: What event has been your favorite in the past? Why?
huckaby: My favorite event and the one I believe to be most challenging has always been the mile. I like it because it is long enough for a race to unfold but fast enough to where you can never lose focus.
scrunners: Who has been your biggest individual and team competitor all season?
huckaby: Our biggest team competitor is obviously Northwestern, we have had a great rivalry going for years. This year we also had a close meet with Chapel Hill at Wendy\'s where we lost by only three points. My biggest individual competitors would have to be McDaniel, Holt, and Walker. All three of them are amazing runners and we have been battling it out all year.
scrunners: When did you start to run?
huckaby: I started running when I was eight-years-old but did not take it seriously until eighth grade.
scrunners: Do you remember your first race? Explain.
huckaby: My first race was a small 5k in Greenville. It was not that cold at all but my mom was worried about me so she made me wear three shirts. I ran 28 something and thought that I was a child prodigy.
scrunners: What kind of training did you undergo over the summer?
huckaby: Over the summer I put in about eight to 12-miles a day with a weekly four to five mile tempo run.
scrunners: What meet has been the most challenging this year? Explain.
huckaby: The most challenging meet was county because I was not feeling 100 percent, but I knew we already had two of our guys out and that I need to run a good race.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured?
huckaby: Yes, I missed my seventh grade year with plantar fasciitis and last year I hurt my IT band and was out for three weeks.
scrunners: How did you stay motivated during this time?
huckaby: It was hard but when I couldn\'t run I realized how much running meant to me and I got new motivation.
scrunners: Did you cross train while injured?
huckaby: When I hurt my IT band last year there was nothing I could do but rest because biking and swimming irritated it.
scrunners: What keeps you motivated to get out the door on a daily basis for life and athletics?
huckaby: I have always enjoyed athletics and have had no trouble finding motivation, but in life when I have trouble find motivation I think back to all the good times I\'ve been through and all the people that care about me.
scrunners: What would you consider your most challenging race? How did you fare in this event?
huckaby: My most challenging race would probably be the Thunder Road Marathon Relay I did last December. I ran much of my half marathon leg alone over a hilly course. It was difficult to keep my pace from slacking off for only a few minutes. It was also one of my best races. I ran a 1:17:58 which is 5:57 pace. On the way I set 8k and 10k PR\'s. I also met one of my goals of running 10 miles in under an hour.
scrunners: What do you look for in a coach and what do you expect a coach to look for in you?
huckaby: I look for a coach that is interested in my opinion and feedback and is willing to work with me to figure out what is best for me. I expect a coach to look for a kid who runs because they enjoy it not because they are good at it or just want to win.
scrunners: Are you looking to compete in college athletics? Why?
huckaby: Yes, I definitely want to continue running in college because I enjoy it. I want to run for a team because I enjoy the atmosphere that is present in an individual sport.
scrunners: Do you think you will ever coach the sports? If so, why and what level?
huckaby: I would like to someday coach at the college or other highly competitive (not necessarily fast) level. I think I would enjoy helping people who are dedicated and will to work hard to improve.
scrunners: How does your training vary from one season to the other?
huckaby: My training in track and cross country are very similar, but in track I do slightly more speed work and race more frequently.
scrunners: Have you ever met a profession athlete?
huckaby: Yes, I have met many professional athletes. One of my favorites was meeting triathon world champion Simon Lessing.
scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
huckaby: I don\'t know. There are so many possibilities in so many different areas that it would be impossible to chose one single accomplishment in one certain area.