Want to participate in the series? Email jolson@milesplit.us.
What was your most memorable race/competition?
My most memorable race I would say was the AAA State Qualifier race this year when I broke two minutes in the 800 for the first time because I didn’t think I could do that after being injured for so long.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
I faced my biggest competition probably at the state track meet this year.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
I would have to say what stands out the most to me is being named to the Shrine Bowl Run team this year because it was the first time I had ever ran XC.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
I would change playing football for my first three years of high school. I had a lot of fun doing it but it brought more frustration than happiness, something track and XC never did.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Being injured for about six weeks this season. It was really hard on me mentally, I wasn’t sure at all if I would ever feel normal again or be healthy in time to compete at region. And I wasn’t sure if I would be in good enough shape to compete the way I hoped to once I got back on the track.
What will you miss the most?
What I’ll miss the most is the guys I ran with pretty much every day from the beginning of XC in August to the end of track in May and the coach I had the past two years, he’s the reason I ran XC and really started to love running. I’ll also miss my XC team and all of our daily laughs and inside jokes.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Just to be positive, be very very positive and don’t take everything so serious, learn to laugh a little. And work your hardest no matter what and the results will come.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals?
When it comes to performance they’ve influenced me to stay positive even after bad performances or when I’m unsure of myself, to always run smart during races, and not to think too much. And because of my coach I have life goals such as running a few marathons and half marathons after college. And because of my coaches I too want to be a coach one day because of the way they influenced me and my life.
What are your college plans?
I plan to run cross country and track at USC Upstate where I’ll be majoring in either communications, marketing, or secondary education. I’m not totally sure yet what I should major in.
Shout-Outs?
Michael and David Cook who I ran with every day during the off season before track, I wouldn’t have had the type of season I had without those two guys. My XC team who I had so much fun with this past fall. Drayer physical therapy for getting me healthy once again. Shawn Cunningham who I had as a coach for 3 years. And my coach Paul Drohomirecky who is an awesome coach & teacher and overall real cool guy.