Interview: Walhalla's Eli Cothran
Name: Eli Sheppard Cothran
Date of birth: March 31,1993
Hobbies: Bike, run, whitewater kayak, soccer, snow board, play guitar
Academic interest: Music, Social Studies
Brothers/sisters: One Brother - Henley Cothran
Personal bests: 1600: 4:56, 800: 2:07, 3200: 10:49
scrunners: When did you start to compete in track and field?
cothran: This is my first year.
scrunners: What or whom gave you the idea to compete in the sport?
cothran: Our cross country coach David Smith.
scrunners: Does or did any of your parents compete in the sport?
cothran: My dad ran track and mom ran cross country.
scrunners: How would you rate your performance at the upper state qualifier last Saturday?
cothran: I ran a personal best in the 3200-meter relay.
scrunners: What are you looking to achieve at the state meet Saturday?
cothran: We are aiming for first place in the 3200 relay.
scrunners: When did you start to prepare for the season and how?
cothran: Do you see yourself competing in track and field at the college level?
scrunners: Do you see yourself coaching in the future? Why or why not and what level?
cothran: I very much do. I plan to coach at a college level first as I get older I would work my way down to a high school level.
scrunners: Do you have any individual or team rivals?
cothran: Bishop England. Our 4x800 team saw there time on the 4x800 and saw that there were going to be are only component that we need to be worried about at state.
scrunners: What kind of support do you receive from veteran athletes on your team?
cothran: They treat me very well and encourage me all the time we love each other like brothers.
Interview: Bishop England's John Hohenger
Full name: John Hohenberger
Date of birth: January 19, 1989
Academic interest: Science
Brothers/sisters: One younger sister, Megan, who also runs track for Bishop England
Personal bests: 800 - 1:59.49, 1600 - 4:36, 5K - 17:15
scrunners: When did you start to compete in track and field?
hohenberger: I started track my freshman year of high school.
scrunners: What or whom gave you the idea to compete in the sport?
hohenberger: My parents thought it would be a good idea.
scrunners: Does or did any of your parents compete in the sport? If so, where and when?
hohenberger: My dad ran track in high school, and he has also run in four marathons; in San Francisco, Raleigh, Chicago, and Washington DC.
scrunners: How would you rate your performance at the state qualifier last Saturday?
hohenberger: It wasn't my best, but fortunately it was good enough to qualify for the state meet.
scrunners: Did you achieve your goals?
hohenberger: Yes, by qualifying for the state meet in the 4X800, 4X400, and 800.
scrunners: What are you looking to achieve at the state meet Saturday?
hohenberger: I'm aiming to try to win the 800, and helping my relay teams win as well; and hopefully, if my teammates and I run well on Saturday, there is a chance that we can win state.
scrunners: What kind of training are you doing this week to prepare for the meet this coming weekend?
hohenberger: I'm doing all speed workouts this week, so my legs will be fresh on Saturday.
scrunners: Do you have any meets coming up after state?
hohenberger: Not that I'm aware of.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured?
hohenberger: Luckily, I have never gotten injured while running.
scrunners: How did you stay motivated during this time?
hohenberger: Did you do any cross training?
scrunners: When did you start to prepare for the season and how?
hohenberger: I started preparing for track by doing cross country, then took a two month break, then started the track workouts in early January.
scrunners: Do you see yourself competing in track and field at the college level?
hohenberger: I haven't really thought about it yet, but depending on how I feel, I might try to walk-on at Clemson.
scrunners: What kind of athlete do you feel it takes to be a distance runner?
hohenberger: Well, I'm not really a distance runner, but it takes a determined and dedicated athlete to be a distance runner.
scrunners: What would you say has been your most challenging race? Please explain.
hohenberger: My most challenging race has been the 5Ks during cross country, because I prefer running shorter events, like the 400, 800, or 1600, which take more speed than endurance.
scrunners: Do you see yourself coaching in the future? Why or why not and what level?
hohenberger: As of right now, I don't see myself coaching in the future because it's not really something I would be interested in.
scrunners: Does your team have a team tradition prior to a meet? Please explain.
hohenberger: Besides getting to the meets before anyone else, we have freestyle rap battles before the meets, and the winner of the battle gets a free dinner that night, as well as an outside chance of being signed to a record label.
scrunners: Do you have any individual or team rivals?
hohenberger: I don't have any individual rivals, but our team rivals would probably be Andrews and Broome.
scrunners: How did these develop?
hohenberger: We have finished 3rd behind both Broome and Andrews the last two years at the state meet.
scrunners: How have you seen the sport change since you started?
hohenberger: Track has become a lot more competitive in Class AA since I started.
scrunners: What would you recommend to young athletes to achieve their best in the sport?
hohenberger: I would tell them to workout hard at every practice, and listen to music before races.
If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
hohenberger: Time-travel, because I hear it's a lot of fun.
Interview: Walhalla's Austin McJunkins
Full name: Austin Lee Roach McJunkins
Date of birth: February 17, 1989
Hobbies: Swimming, camping, hanging out with friends, spending time with the family
Academic interest: Physiology
Brothers/sisters: 2 brothers, 4 sisters
Personal bests: 5K- 17:36 1600-meter run- 4:55 800-meter run-2:04 3200-meter run- 10:48 4X800-meter relay- 8:23
scrunners: When did you start to compete in track and field?
mcjunkins: I started my sophomore year.
scrunners: What or whom gave you the idea to compete in the sport?
mcjunkins: My cross country coach.
scrunners: How would you rate your performance at the state qualifier last Saturday?
mcjunkins: In the 4x800 relay, pretty good; 800, not my best, but I qualified.
scrunners: Did you achieve your goals?
mcjunkins: Not exactly.
scrunners: What are you looking to achieve at the state meet Saturday?
mcjunkins: To win the 4X800-meter relay and run a sub two-minute 800.
scrunners: What kind of training are you doing this week to prepare for the meet this coming weekend?
mcjunkins: Mainly pace work and easy mileage
scrunners: Do you prefer cross country or track and field? Please explain.
mcjunkins: I prefer cross country because you get to run on different types of terrain.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured?
mcjunkins: Yes.
scrunners: How did you stay motivated during this time?
mcjunkins: I just told myself that I would rather be able to run good when it counts rather than injure myself for good
scrunners: Did you do any cross training?
mcjunkins: No, I mainly just rested.
scrunners: When did you start to prepare for the season and how?
mcjunkins: In the winter, by running a lot of miles.
scrunners: Do you see yourself competing in track and field at the college level?
mcjunkins: Yes.
scrunners: What kind of athlete do you feel it takes to be a distance runner?
mcjunkins: Someone that is dedicated, as well as being mentally and physically strong.
scrunners: What would you say has been your most challenging race? Please explain.
mcjunkins: 2006 cross country state finals because there are so many good runners to push you and because you run all out because you really want to win. This race was also hard for me because I had hurt my hamstring a couple weeks before this meet.
scrunners: Do you see yourself coaching in the future? Why or why not and what level?
mcjunkins: Yes, because I would like to have an oppritunity to teach kids all about running and life and make them enjoy running as much as I have.
scrunners: Does your team have a team tradition prior to a meet? Please explain.
mcjunkins: We always warm up together and we always talk before we run.
scrunners: Do you have any individual or team rivals?
mcjunkins: Yes.
scrunners: How did these develop?
mcjunkins: Because we run against them alot and they are the best competition we face.
scrunners: How have you seen the sport change since you started?
mcjunkins: Yes, I think it is getting more advanced technology wise and times continue to improve almost every year.
scrunners: What would you recommend to young athletes to achieve their best in the sport?
mcjunkins: Always give it bit of effort you have, never let up before the finish line, run hard but run smart, and listen to your coaches because they would do anything to help you.
scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
mcjunkins: Run in the Olympics and win a gold medal. That has always been a dream of mine and I think it would be the greatest experience of my lifetime.
Interview: Spring Valley's Shalyn Janel McMichael
Full name: Shalyn Janel McMichael
Date of birth: July 9, 1989
Hobbies: Watching TV, talking on the phone and playing basketball.
Academic interest: Health science or sports medicine.
Brothers/sisters: I have three younger sisters.
Personal bests: 100m (12.2),200m (25.27),400m (56.11),400h (1:07.97),800m (2:26.69),LJ (17'2)
scrunners: When did you start to compete in track and field?
mcmichael: I started when I was about nine-years-old.
scrunners: What or whom gave you the idea to compete in the sport?
mcmichael: I got the idea from my mother. She said I had a lot of energy and was always running around both inside and outside of the house. She thought that this was a good outlet for me and signed me up to be a part of the Richland County Recreation Commission's track team. When I competed in the AAU regional meet that summer at the University of Tennessee, I just missed the national record for the nine-year-old Sub-Bantam girls. The record was 1:07.07, but I ran 1:07.10. My mom says we were running late and I was asleep in the car. We just got to the track in time for one of my coaches to lift me over the fence and push me out into lane 8. I guess if I had been fully awake, I would've taken that record. I won two medals that year in the AAU Junior Olympics (400m-3rd & 200m-5th)
scrunners: Does or did any of your parents compete in the sport? If so, where and when?
mcmichael: My mom started to run track when she was in the 7th grade while living in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. She also ran for two years as a student at Spring Valley. She ran the 100m hurdles, 200m, 4x100 relay and 4x200 relay.
scrunners: How would you rate your performance at the state qualifier last Saturday?
mcmichael: My performance at the qualifier last Saturday was okay. I did what I wanted, which was to qualify, but my times were just average.
scrunners: Did you achieve your goals?
mcmichael: I really hoped to have qualified in all 4 of my events. Nonetheless, 3 out of 4 events aren't bad especially when you're ranked top seed in 2 of the races.
scrunners: What are you looking to achieve at the state meet Saturday?
mcmichael: This Saturday I want to win first place in the 400 and 4x400 races. I hope to get at least in the top 3 on the 200. Overall, I'm hoping that our team will still come up with enough points to win the Class AAAA State Championship.
scrunners: What kind of training are you doing this week to prepare for the meet this
coming weekend?
mcmichael: Training this week is more technical work than intensity. I'm just working on different parts of each race.
scrunners: Do you have any meets coming up after state?
mcmichael: After the state meet, we'll be competing in the Nike Outdoor Nationals meet. I will also be running AAU and USTAF this summer up until it's time to leave for college.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured?
mcmichael: I wouldn't say that I was injured, but I did have some back spasms that kept me from a couple competitions.
scrunners: How did you stay motivated during this time?
mcmichael: During that time, I just had to remind myself that I wanted to retain my title in the 400 and hopefully gain another in the process. I couldn't come close to doing that if I were to go back on the track when I wasn't at 100 percent.
scrunners: Did you do any cross training?
mcmichael: No, I didn't do much cross training. I did incorporate weights and strength training when I could.
scrunners: When did you start to prepare for the season and how?
mcmichael: I started training last September after my summer season. I started doing some workouts and working on my form while weightlifting at least once a week.
scrunners: Do you see yourself competing in track and field at the college level? Please explain.
mcmichael: Yes, most definitely! I will be competing as a member of the team at Western Carolina University. They offered me the scholarship that I wanted. I think that I will be able to contribute to their team as a freshman and the coaching staff will be able to help improve my performance on the track. I know I'll have to step it up a notch at the college level, but I'm confident that I can do it with their support.
scrunners: With your coach, Kevin Shaw, leaving Spring Valley, and as a senior, how do you want to conclude the season, individually and team wise.
mcmichael: Naturally, I want to conclude the season as a winner. I want to retain my crown in the 400 and perhaps pick up another in the 200 and 4x400 events. As a team, if we can pull off the State Championship, that would be the perfect "goodbye gift" for all the seniors and Coach Shaw.
scrunners: What do you remember from coach Shaw throughout your years of competing in the sport?
mcmichael: I mostly remember from Coach Shaw that he is the type person that will give you all kinds of opportunities within the sport. My name got out there to many coaches and colleges through the efforts of Coach Shaw. That's something that I truly appreciate.
scrunners: What kind of athlete do you feel it takes to be a track and field athlete?
mcmichael: First of all you must have a passion for the sport. Track and field opens the door to the fundamental force of discipline and determination. It provides the framework to develop their skills, discover their talents and perform on their own accord. Individualism is encouraged and performance is rewarded.
scrunners: What would you say has been your most challenging race? Please explain.
mcmichael: I think my most challenging race is the 100. I can get out fine on the start, but I just don't have the quick turnover to standout in this race. Maybe if I had stayed with this event when I was younger, I would be a bit better now. But, don't count me out yet...
scrunners: Do you see yourself coaching in the future? Why or why not and what level?
mcmichael: I've thought about coaching from time to time. It is not a career goal of mine though. If I ever do decide to try it, I probably start with a recreational team.
scrunners: Does your team have a team tradition prior to a meet? Please explain.
mcmichael: No, we don't really have any tradition that we go through prior to a big meet. However, we do have a cookout to celebrate our accomplishments before the state meet. I guess our best tradition is prayer.
scrunners: Do you have any individual or team rivals?
mcmichael: No, not really. My rivals are usually the people I compete against. I see them as the stepping stones to my final goal of being at the top of my game. I admire their talent. When I beat the better ones in a race, I see that as self-improvement and a step toward that goal.
scrunners: How did these develop?
mcmichael: It developed primarily through the competitions at Coaches Classic, Taco Bell, and the qualifier meets.
scrunners: How have you seen the sport change since you started?
mcmichael: I've seen the sport get younger and faster kids. These kids are coming up with more talent and at a much younger age than they did back in the day. I guess they are becoming involved in the sport much earlier. I've seen kids look like they are in "Pullup diapers" and others at the age of 4-5 years running 400 and 800 races. Although they wave at the clapping audience with one hand and hold their pants up with the other hand, they finish their race and love every step. Their training by the time they get to high school is paying off.
scrunners: What would you recommend to young athletes to achieve their best in the sport?
mcmichael: My advice is to give to the sport what you want back. Give it your all and don't give up. Those who think that they are not good enough, stay with it. I've seen many times where the so-called "late bloomer" in the sport is now the athlete to watch.
scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
mcmichael: I would involve myself with helping children and ways to keep them out of the streets through organized sports. While participating in summer track, I would meet a lot of kids from different places who came from disadvantaged and deprived backgrounds. If it weren't for some of the organized programs that they were involved with, who knows what kinds of trouble they would be in now. Most of the kids I met were committed to the sport. They loved their escape, even for the several hours in the sweltering heat of a summer's day. I see where structure, support and encouragement found in this type program are a significant benefit to many of our youth.
Interview: Summerville's Matthew Kingdom
Full name: Matthew Grant Kingdom
Date of birth: September 6, 1988
Hobbies: Football and track
Academic interest: Music
Brothers/sisters: Terrell Carlton and Chrishele Kingdom
Personal bests: 110 hurdles: 15.28, 400 hurdles: 59
scrunners: When did you start to compete in track and field?
kingdom: I started in ninth grade.
scrunners: What or whom gave you the idea to compete in the sport?
kingdom: My uncle Roger Kingdom (Coach's note: This uncle competed for the U.S. in the Olympics).
scrunners: Does or did any of your parents compete in the sport? If so, where and when?
kingdom: My Dad competed at Albany University in Georgia.
scrunners: How would you rate your performance at the state qualifier last Saturday?
kingdom: My performance was good, but I could do better.
scrunners: Did you achieve your goals?
kingdom: Yes, I got my personal best.
scrunners: What are you looking to achieve at the state meet Saturday?
kingdom: To get first and first for team standing.
scrunners: What kind of training are you doing this week to prepare for the meet this
coming weekend?
kingdom: I am training a little harder.
scrunners: Do you have any meets coming up after state?
kingdom: I'm done after state unless Coach wants me to do another meet.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured?
kingdom: Yes.
scrunners: How did you stay motivated during this time?
kingdom: Looking at everyone else run.
scrunners: Did you do any cross training?
kingdom: Yes, I cross-trained during this time.
scrunners: When did you start to prepare for the season and how?
kingdom: I started to prepare a week after football season with the distance people.
scrunners: Do you see yourself competing in track and field at the college level?
kingdom: I could see myself competing at the college level, but the college I'm going to has no track team. (Coach's note: He is going to Newberry College on a football scholarship.)
scrunners: What kind of athlete do you feel it takes to be a hurdler?
kingdom: It takes an athlete who loves a challenge because it is very challenging.
scrunners: What would you say has been your most challenging race? Please explain.
kingdom: I think my most challenging race was at the state qualifier because if I were to mess up, my season would have been over.
scrunners: Do you see yourself coaching in the future? Why or why not and what level?
kingdom: Yes, I do see myself coaching. I love sports and that is what I'm going to major in. I will coach at any level.
scrunners: Does your team have a team tradition prior to a meet? Please explain.
kingdom: We don't really have a tradition before the meet but every meet during the 4x400 we do the wave. It doesn't matter where we are, we do the wave.
scrunners: Do you have any individual or team rivals?
kingdom: I really don't have any rivals. The team rival is always Stratford and Fort Dorchester.
scrunners: How did these develop?
kingdom: I guess the rivalries carry over from football.
scrunners: How have you seen the sport change since you started?
kingdom: The sport has changed this past year with our new coaches. It has been more fun. In the past years if has felt like a job.
scrunners: What would you recommend to young athletes to achieve their best in the sport?
kingdom: I would recommend to all young people to do what they have to do in school and in athletics.
scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
kingdom: If I could do anything in the world, it would be me helping people in need without worrying about the money issues.
Interview: Summerville's Kayla Blake
Full name: Kayla Christina Blake
Date of birth: December 5, 1988
Hobbies: Track and basketball
Academic interest: Art
Brothers/sisters: Scherrie Blake & Andrea Blake
Personal bests: High jump: 5'8," 100 hurdles: 15.52
scrunners: When did you start to compete in track and field?
blake: I started my 10th grade year.
scrunners: What or whom gave you the idea to compete in the sport?
blake: My father.
scrunners: Does or did any of your parents compete in the sport? If so, where and when?
blake: My dad, Harry Blake, Jr. ran for Summerville in the late 1960s. He competed for West Virginia University.
scrunners: How would you rate your performance at the state qualifier last Saturday?
blake: I stepped up extremely in the 100-meter hurdles dropping my time by sixth-tenths of a second to qualify, with the top fourth time. Although I didn't do as well in the high jump, I still qualified with the chance to break the state record.
scrunners: Did you achieve your goals?
blake: Yes, in the 100 hurdles by breaking 16 seconds and qualifying to compete in three events.
scrunners: What are you looking to achieve at the state meet Saturday?
blake: Placing in the 100 hurdles, winning the high jump and the 4x400-meter relay.
scrunners: What kind of training are you doing this week to prepare for the meet this coming weekend?
blake: Focusing on one event at a time and giving it 100 percent.
scrunners: Do you have any meets coming up after state?
blake: Hopefully, Nike Outdoor Nationals.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured?
blake: No serious injuries.
scrunners: How did you stay motivated during this time?
blake: Mentally, knowing that it's my last year at a state meet in high school.
scrunners: Did you do any cross training?
blake: I didn't cross train.
scrunners: When did you start to prepare for the season and how?
blake: After basketball season ended, I began my conditioning.
scrunners: Do you see yourself competing in track and field at the college level?
blake: Yes. (Coach's note: Kayla has received a track scholarship to compete at University of South Carolina.)
scrunners: What kind of athlete do you feel it takes to be a hurdler and high jumper?
blake: The athlete must be dedicated and willing to work hard.
scrunners: What would you say has been your most challenging race?
blake: Taco Bell meet in the 4x400 relay.
scrunners: Do you see yourself coaching in the future? Why or why not and what level?
blake: Yes, in high school or college.
scrunners: Does your team have a team tradition prior to a meet?
blake: No.
scrunners: Do you have any individual or team rivals?
blake: Spartanburg and Spring Valley.
scrunners: How did these develop?
blake: At state qualifier, being ranked as the top teams,
scrunners: How have you seen the sport change since you started?
blake: The competition has become more intense.
scrunners: What would you recommend to young athletes to achieve their best in the sport?
blake: Work hard in practice and it will show at (the) meets.
scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and
blake: Win a National Championship and make my father proud!