Mann's Jack Zemp talks about winning the Greenville County title and the confidence it has given him with state this weekend.
Name: Jack Zemp
Personal bests: 800-2:01, 1500-4:06, 1600-4:25, 3200-9:43, 5000-15:44
Hobbies: Sports, hanging out with friends, spending time with family, youth group and church
Academic Interests: Math and science
How did you get involved in the sport and why?
I ran my first race when I was eight years old, however, I didn't start running competitively until the spring of my freshman year, because my best friend and teammate, Walker Gibbs, suggested that I would be pretty good at it.
I figured that it would be a good use of my time during the spring since I had just stopped playing baseball and soccer the previous year. I immediately fell in love with the sport upon competing for the first time and decided to quite football and run cross-country that following fall instead.
Do you have any family members involved in the sport? Please explain.
My dad has been an avid runner for over 20 years, and has been a real role model and second coach for me since I started running. My step-mom also runs.
Talk about the county championship race.
The ideal goal going in to the (Greenville) county race was to win, but at the time, I didn't quite know how I was going to do it since the field was so talented. I decided that I was going to run the first mile conservatively, but not fall too far behind the lead pack and try and work my way up to the front. This was executed perfectly, and even though I went out too conservatively, I was rested and not too far behind the lead group. I began to pick up the pace, anticipating that I was going to catch the lead runner by the second mile. As I passed people, the feeling became more and more surreal because I had never actually been in the mix of such a competitive race.
At the two-mile mark, I was in second place, trailing John Ward of Wade Hampton. It wasn't until about 2.5 miles in when I caught John. I knew, at that moment in time, if we stayed at the same speed and it came down to the last stretch, he would out-kick me, so I concluded that the only way I had a chance to win was to pick up the pace with about a half a mile left.
Fortunately, I created just enough space to hold off John's ferocious kick and cross the finish line with a PR. To win the individual title gives me a lot of confidence moving forward, and served as great preparation for the state championship race.
What roles do you have on the team this year?
As a senior, I hold the positions captain and elder, so I am looked up to by the younger runners on our team, and I take that very seriously. I feel that the best way to lead is by example, and I try to do that by bringing a hard working mentality and good attitude every day to practice.
What does it mean to be part of your team?
I could not ask for a better group of guys to train with everyday. The support and encouragement they have given me, as well as to one another, will forever be appreciated. I wouldn't want to train with any other group of guys.
Do you have any post season cross country meets planned?
I will be playing basketball for my school this winter, so I do not plan to race any post season.
Do you have a specific race strategy that works best for you?
I feel that running the first mile conservatively and getting progressively faster and been most beneficial for me.
What plans do you have for the future?
I plan to attend college and possibly go to graduate school afterwards.
Are you looking to run in college? Explain.
I absolutely want to run in college, but I do not know where yet. I'm not quite sure what kind of school will be the best fit for me, so I am keeping my options open right now.
Do you remember your first race? Please explain.
My first cross country race was at the 2013 Coaches' Classic in Columbia in the championship division. I went out and led the race after the first mile and ended up being passed by 10 people to finish 11th in the race with a 16:49.
How did summer training go?
Summer training was a huge success. With no injuries or hindrances, I was able to complete I everything I needed to, and it gave me a very strong base coming into my last cross country season.
What do you remember most from being a runner?
I mostly remember how much running can be compared to life. There are good days and bad days, but every day requires hard work, discipline, and learning how to handle the obstacles set in front of you.
Do you have a specific reason to achieve a goal or goals this season?
There are no specific reasons for achieving my goals. I am just trying to become the best I can be.
What do you enjoy the most about being part of the Mann team?
I have really enjoyed building relationships with my teammates over the last few years. I couldn't ask for a better team or coaching staff to do what I love with. I have also enjoyed gaining some leadership experience and being able to be a role model for the younger kids on the team.
What do you enjoy about the team and being on the course with them daily?
Almost every person on the team is so much fun to be around and are just great guys, so just being with them makes every day fun.
What's the one thing you will never forget from being with the team?
I will never forget how much fun it was to go out to practice everyday and it just feel as if we were a big family. I felt comfortable talking to every single person on the team, and that is something that is rare to find in such a big group of guys.
What helps you stay focused during practices and races?
Focusing on my goals and understanding how lucky I am to get to do what I love to do every day helps keep me focused day in and day out.
What responsibility do you feel you have to your teammates? Please explain.
I feel that I serve as the person who sets the example for my teammates. I have been fortunate enough to be the number one runner on my team, so I feel that most people on the team look up to me, and I want to teach them that with hard work and perseverance, their goals can be achieved.
Do you have a pre-race tradition? Please explain.
I follow the instructions laid out by my coach, and I always pray before my races.
How do you balance academics, athletics, and other responsibilities?
Handling all of my responsibilities can seem overwhelming at times, but learning how to manage my time efficiently and knowing when things needs to be done helps me juggle everything.
What challenges or injuries have you encountered in the sport?
I've been very fortunate throughout my career, never having to deal with any serious injury. I had an Achilles scare at the beginning of my junior year track season, and I knew that if I took the right steps, it wouldn't amount to anything I needed to be worried about, so I just listened to my coach and dad on what to do.
If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would you do and why?
I would end world hunger or provide equal opportunity for everyone in the world.
Favorite runners: Steve Prefontaine, Matthew Elliott, my dad
Favorite food: Fried okra
Favorite Band: I don't have one
Favorite quote: "Never, never, never give up." -- Winston Churchill
Favorite training shoe and racing shoe: Kinvaras and A6
Inspirational person in your life: My dad