Mauldin Maverick Chad Holt

Chad Holts runs for Mauldin High Mavericks.

Full Name: Chad Escott Holt Academic Interest: science, and industrial tech Date of Birth: August 20, 1988 High School: Mauldin High School Mascot: Maverick Brothers/Sisters: Sister- Chelsea Ray Holt

scrunners: When did you start to run?
holt: I started to run with my dad sometimes in the fifth grade. I began to run competitively in the summer of my sixth grade year.

scrunners: What made you start to run cross-country?
Will you or do you also run track?
holt: I began to run cross-country as an eighth grader (last year). I started because during my seventh grade year I ran track and my coach (Delmer Howell) told me that I would be much better in that (cross-country) than I was in track because I didn't have the muscles, which I didn't, but I would be better because it was longer. I do plan on running track as well.

scrunners: Do you see yourself running for the rest of your life?
holt: I can definitely see my self running long term because that will probably be all I will be good at. It is just so much fun to go out and see how fast you can go and even how long.

scrunners: Does or did anyone else in your family run?
holt: My dad runs and my sister tried as a junior but realized that she just didn't have the genes to do it and stopped after that year.

scrunners: As a freshman what kind of goals were you setting for the season?
holt: At the start of the season my goals were to break 17 and place in the top eight at the Footlocker meet in the freshmen division.

scrunners: After running a 16:53 at Wendy's, how did you feel? Is that your fastest time of the year?
holt: I felt surprisingly good after the race. Once one of my teammates told me that when I broke 17 I started to hyperventalate because I was so excited. This was by far my fastest time of the year. The next closest time to it was a 17:25 that I ran at Coaches Classic.

scrunners: What kind of training did you do this past summer?
holt: My coach tells us to start training after the season and he set a goal of 500 miles. We begin to run with the team mid way through June and we start to log our mileage. I didn't however make 500. I had around 400, I think.

scrunners: What kind of mileage do you run during the season?
holt: During the season I run arround 150 miles a month.

Event PR's: Wendy's invitational-2003: 5k, 16:53 4A state qualifier-2003: 3200, 10:21 Westside vs. Mauldin dual meet-2003: 1600, 4:56

scrunners: What kind of goals are you setting for the rest of the season? The goals you have set earlier this year, how are they working out?
holt: I started the season with a goal to be the fastest freshman in the state when I read about Chris Scanlon achieving this last year. The goals I set this year have all come true except the Footlocker one because it hasn't came up yet, but with the time I ran at Wendy's and since they are on the same course I have time to improve.

scrunners: What do you see happening with South Carolina running in the future? How will this happen?
holt: I am going to try to win state by my senior year and I think that would be a nice gift for my coach to add to his collection.

scrunners: What other sports did or do you play?
holt: I used to play soccer but had to give it up for running my eighth grade year.

scrunners: What kind of pre race tradition do you follow?
holt: Before each race I eat a banana and a bagel and sometimes a power bar three hours before race time. Up until the race I stretch constantly to loosen up and then the team will go and do about a two-mile or 15 minute warm up followed by more stretching.

scrunners: What do you look for in a coach and what do you expect a coach to look for in you?
holt: I don't know what to look for in a coach other than one that will call me an "idiot child" and help along the way with how I am running and in school.

scrunners: Who is your biggest individual rival? Who is Mauldin's team rival? When do these rivals become most intense?
holt: I think that one of my biggest rivals in Johnathon Chu. I used to run against him (Johnanthan) in AAU and would beat him, but now he has gotten more mature and beats me (sometimes). I think that Mauldin's biggest rival is Hillcrest because they are in our region and they are also our schools biggest rival.

scrunners: What kind of race tactic works best for you?
holt: I don't really have a race tactic. I just go out there and stick with Mauldin's number one runner Jake Barwick, a senior and try to beat him.

scrunners: What kind of trainers and racers do you wear?
holt: I don't really have a favorite other than what my dad and the guy from Run In suggests.

scrunners: Where is your favorite place to train? So far, what is your favorite meet / course in South Carolina? Why?
holt: My favorite place to train in on the road. I will run tempo runs with my teamates even if we are supposed to have gone easy that day. My favorite course now is Fort Jackson because I set a PR on it earlier this season, and I like how the terrain varies.

scrunners: Have you ever met a professional runner? If so, what did you talk about? Where did you meet this runner?
holt: I met Alan Webb at the Footlocker Classic last year and the only thing I said to him was "Can I have your autograph," but it was great because I have his signature on my shoe in my room so that everyone can see it.

scrunners: What keeps you motivated to get out the door everyday?
holt: I get motivated knowing that there is still alot of people faster than me and I have to train hard to beat them.

scrunners: When discouraged what do you to get back into the swing of things?
When I get discouraged I train harder and it helps later on.

scrunners: What kind of cross training do you do to prevent injuries and when injured how do you stay strong during the "recovery process?"
holt: I run hard two days of the week and easy the days before meets. If I get hurt I run on grass and easy. I have always been told that you should run through injuries.

scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
holt: I would try to find a way to get rid of the hate in the world because that is what is destroying us and starting wars.

scrunners: What number runner are you on Mauldin's team?
holt: I am number two on the team but occasionally I beat Jake Barwick and get his spot for a few days.

scrunners: Who do you look to on the team for leadership? Why do you look to this person?
holt: I look to Jake barwick because he is the captain and a really nice person, all and all.

scrunners: Who do you admire the most in life? Why?
holt: I admire PREFONTAINE because the things he did in his short life time were incredible.

scrunners: It's early in your career, but have you ever thought about running in college? Why?
holt: I have thought about running college because that is something to show for and to be at that level and race in the races at that level would be awesome.

scrunners: Have you ever been to a college meet?
holt: The only college meet that I have ever been to was the Furman Invitational.

scrunners: Before you graduate would you like to win an individual or team state championship? What do you need to do, as an individual, to win and to help the team capture a title?
holt: Before I graduate I would like to win a state title for my team first and me second because they are the ones that push you and give you support when you need it. As an individual, I need to be my best and train hard and do more than what I normally do. For the team I would try my best during the season and at state and drop back and help someone if they need it and be there for them.