J.L. Mann senior Sean McAdams talks with scrunners about his running journey, final season and future prior to the Mike Moore Shrine Bowl Run on Saturday.
Name: Sean McAdams
Hobbies: cooking, woodworking, chess, writing, gardening, video games, drawing, glassblowing, photography, sewing, crochet, soccer, interior design, pottery, parachuting, metalworking, jigsaw puzzles, diving, scrapbooking, roller blading, archery, table tennis, fishing
Academic interest: Business/Accounting
Personal bests: 5K- 15:51 3200- 9:55 1600- 4:29
What does it mean to be named to the Shrine Bowl Run team and help the hospital?
It is a huge honor to be recognized as one of the top runners in the state to run the relay and help the hospital.
What did you hear about the Shrine Bowl Run before this year?
I heard about it last year when two of my teammates participated in it.
What do you hope to experience during the event?
I have never ridden a bus before, it has been a dream of mine for some time now and I can't wait to finally experience it.
How are you preparing to run with a football?
When I was little, I always looked at the football players on the screen running with the football, and I wanted to be one of them. Unfortunately, due to my wiry physique, I was never able to participate in the sport. I still wanted to run with a football in my hand however, so I thought, "Why can't I just run long distances with a football instead?" So that's exactly what I did. I don't even care about racing, I just do all of my training with a football in my hand, blissfully running on trails, roads, and tracks, never dropping it. Flash forward to now, after 12 years of running long distances with a football, I can finally put my skills to the test. I am not taking this lightly, I will run my heart out once that football is passed to me and my leg of the relay begins. Each night before I sleep I stare at my ceiling, going through the motions over and over again in my head. This is my life's purpose. I will not fail.
"The competition in the state has ramped up the past few seasons by a lot. A lot of my times this season would have placed me much higher during last season. I have seen the sport get a little bit more attention compared to my first season running, but that could just be because I was only on JV and I didn't get to experience the larger meets like Coaches Classic." - Sean McAdams
How would you rate your senior season?
I would rate my senior season 987/1000 (1,000 being a perfect season) because I choked at county championships, but other than that one race, I did pretty well.
What future goals do you have?
One future goal I have is to beat the J.L. Mann school record for the 1600.
Have you made the decision to compete at the next level? Please explain.
I am running at the DII collegiate level for Anderson University. I decided to run for them because I figured that if I had the ability to compete but didn't, I would regret it for the rest of my life.
How did you get involved with the sport and when?
I got involved with cross country my sophomore year because I randomly decided to join it.
Do you have any relation or know someone that has attended the Shriners Hospital?
I do not know anyone who has attended the Shriners Hospital.
How have you seen the sport change in the state? Please explain.
The competition in the state has ramped up the past few seasons by a lot. A lot of my times this season would have placed me much higher during last season. I have seen the sport get a little bit more attention compared to my first season running, but that could just be because I was only on JV and I didn't get to experience the larger meets like Coaches Classic.
What was your motivation for your final XC season?
My motivation for this season was knowing that I have to continue to work hard so I can run in college.
If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
I have always wanted to be featured on a Milesplit article, but I know that that is never going to happen so I think I would rather go skydiving or something fun like that.
