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Full Name: Aubrey Keith Darnell Hobbies: Ultimate Frisbee, off-roading Date of Birth: October 29, 1986 Academic Interest: History Brothers/Sisters: Brother (Garrett) Personal bests: 15:47 (5k), 9:42 (3200m), 4:27 (1600m), 1:57 (800m) |
darnell: I thought our team had a good chance to win the state title coming in, and I just didn't want to do anything to mess it up.
scrunners: How did it feel on Friday to win the 4x800 relay?
darnell: It felt good, but we were disappointed not to get the state record. We warmed up for the 4x800 saying we wanted the title, and it just didn't happen for us.
scrunners: Following that race, what did you do that night, in preparation for Saturday\'s 1600 and 3200 events?
darnell: Made sure to get some sleep. I always go to sleep early the week of a big meet. I knew if I would perform at my best when rested.
scrunners: With a top three finish in the 1600 run, what were you thinking before stepping to the line for the 3200?
darnell: I thought I was done. I felt extremely tired. I didn't feel too bad immediately after the 1600, but I think it got to me as the day wore on.
scrunners: Explain how the 1600 race unfolded?
darnell: The 1600 group went out at a comfortable pace. I remember being up near the front, and then seeing Brandon (Hudgins, Northwestern) and Will (Noble, Laurens) take off at about 800m. I don't really know why, but I decided to not go with them. When I realized what I'd done, I figured I would try and hold third place.
scrunners: Explain how the 3200 race unfolded?
darnell: We all went out together, and I made sure to stay right behind whoever the current leader was. The pack slowly spread out, until it was Kevin (Dejonckheere, Dorman) and me, and some people behind us (not sure who, didn't turn around). At about lap six, I was right behind Kevin, and I thought 'hey, I could win this.\' When he picked up the pace two laps out, I told myself I was going to gut it out and win. When we got to 200m left, I took off. I did everything I could to go as fast as I could, afraid that he might catch me if I didn't. About 20 meters out, I heard the announcer say I was going to be the 3200 meter state champ. That was one of the best feelings I've ever gotten from running.
scrunners: How did it feel to stand on the awards stand, following the team scores announcement and being named 4A Boys Team Champions?
darnell: Terrific. I was thinking about all the work I'd put in through my five years, and how good it was to see it pay off, especially after losing to Northwestern this year in cross.
scrunners: What do you remember the most from your 2004 cross-country season?
darnell: The crazy race Reid (Wilson, Spring Valley) and I had at our region meet. With around a half-mile to go, he and I started MOVING. He and I raced all the way to the finish. I lost to him, but I didn't really mind. The way the course was set up, the spectators could see almost all of the last 800, and the parents from our team freaked out when I pulled away from Reid. We were shoulder-to-shoulder the last 300m, and he pulled away from me on the last turn. It was a great race though. We had won the region title from Spring Valley, and I PR'd, running 15:47. I ran 15:47 twice that season, but region meet was a much cooler race.
scrunners: How did you prepare for the 2004 cross-country season, from the summer, until the end of the season?
darnell: I ran doubles most of the week every week in the summer. The morning runs were the team practices, and the afternoon runs were usually with a few of the top seven or so. I ran like a madman at mountain camp this summer, and got to run in a hurricane down at the beach with Jon Bakutes, Dave Mead, and Tyler Gordon, my teammates.
scrunners: Do you feel you are stronger in cross-country or track? Explain.
darnell: I think I'm stronger in cross, simply because it's a longer distance. I don't do as well over a short distance as I do over long ones. I think that's part of the reason I won the 3200. I do pretty well in stuff like tempo runs, but long runs are where I really dominate. This will probably help me a lot when I get to college. I think just being in a somewhat natural setting helps me out more than running the same rubber loop over and over, even if it helps me get my splits better.
scrunners: When did you start to run?
darnell: My eighth grade year, in 2000
scrunners: What or whom gave you the idea to start to run?
darnell: I pretty much ran around everywhere when I was a little kid. Nothing really persuaded me to run, I just did. In 8th grade, I just got tired of soccer and decided to try cross-country. I honestly didn't like it as much as soccer at first, but I was a much better runner, so I stuck with it.
scrunners: Do you remember your first race, if so, how did you fare?
darnell: I remember my first 5k, but not my first race. Middle school runners in NC (where I used to live) do 3k. My first 5k was Great American, back when it was held at McAlpine. I remember being so tired because I had never raced that far before.
scrunners: Where is your favorite place to train?
darnell: Sesquicentennial State Park. We do our long runs out there over the summer.
scrunners: Do you have a favorite cross-country course? If so, which one and why?
darnell: Our home course on Sesqui. I like it basically because everyone else hates it; they think it's too hard. Also, I like Fort Mill's course on the Greenway, because it's absolutely ridiculous. You go through this creek twice, and it comes up to your waist. We had this one kid who was so small, it was up to his shoulders when he went across.
scrunners: Where do you feel the state cross-country meet should be held? Why?
darnell: I like Hilton Field. The spectators are happy, getting to see everything, and it offers a pretty cool place to hold the awards ceremony. The course is OK, but I think it's a little too easy.
scrunners: When a race strategy changes from how you planned, how do you react in this scenario? Explain, when this has occurred and how the race concluded?
darnell: I usually don't really get surprised in a race. Coach Buys and I usually run through every scenario, and I try and figure out what I would do in each one. One race I was surprised in though, was our dual meet against Northwestern in XC. Everyone was together for the first mile, and when the NW guys took off, I went with them. (Jonathan) McGinnis ended up dropping out, and I beat Brandon (Hudgins), but we lost anyway.
scrunners: What would you say is the most prestigious meet you have competed in and how did you fare?
darnell: Nike Indoor Nationals. I ran the DMR and the 4x800. The DMR was on the first day of the meet, and we did awesome, ending up second in our heat. We did the same thing in the 4x800 the next day. We were pretty much just happy to be there, but I split 4:28 in the 1600 of the DMR, and 2:02 (I think) in the 4x800.
scrunners: How did you prepare for this past track season?
darnell: Poorly. I was lazy, and didn't really want to go run on the weekends. This resulted in me having a very bad start to the season. I turned around after that 4x800 at Taco Bell though, and fared well afterwards.
scrunners: How often did you change your training throughout track as the season came closer to the end?
darnell: Twice. We went from base mileage, to hills and some intervals, to speed work near the end of the season
scrunners: How many rest days did you take following cross-country?
darnell: I planned on taking a week off. I got about halfway through the week and realized I was bored out of my mind, so I laced up and went running. I have problems with post-season recovery, and it's happened every year. Right now, I'm on two weeks off, by order of Coach (Amy) Schuckert, my coach at CofC. I keep trying to find stuff to do, and it's killing me.
scrunners: What will you remember the most following graduation from Ridge View, academically, socially and in athletics?
darnell: Academically- Doing math instead of training, because Coach said my grades weren't good enough.
Socially- Hanging out at the Mead's house with everyone over there, eating pancakes, playing basketball, and then going out for a run in the evening.
Athletics- Winning the 3200. Without a doubt, that was the coolest race I've ever been in.
scrunners: What made you decide to sign with the College of Charleston?
darnell: The guys on the Charleston team are really cool. They're all down-to-earth, and fun to hang out with. I also really think Coach (Amy) Schuckert knows what she's doing, and is definitely taking the team to the next level.
scrunners: What other colleges and universities did you look into attending?
darnell: Appalachian State, UNCC, and USC.
scrunners: On college visits, what did you do and what kind of questions did you ask prior to committing?
darnell: I made sure to visit the school, hung out with the team, talked to the coach, etc.
scrunners: What kind of goals would you like to set in college, in all areas?
darnell: Right now, I think I'm going to major in Business. I hope to one day get a master's degree as well. I want to run well in college, but I don't really know what I'm capable of compared to those who are already there.
scrunners: Have you heard anything about college training and competition?
darnell: Not really, no.
scrunners: How do you believe it will vary from high school?
darnell: I assume it will include tougher training, and I'll have to get used to a longer race distance.
scrunners: Does Ridge View have any team rivals?
darnell: Spring Valley.
scrunners: Do you have any individual rivals?
darnell: I don't really have rivals. I'm pretty much buddies with everyone I race against. I'm friendly to everyone before and after my race, but it's game time when I'm on the track.
scrunners: How did these rivals develop?
darnell: Ridge View and Valley were rivals long before I moved here. The schools are six miles apart from each other, so we see each other all the time. Coach (Jeff) Buys was also coached by Coach (John) Jones in high school, so he's always eager to beat him.
scrunners: Does Ridge View have any team traditions prior to a meet? Explain.
darnell: After we warm up, do our strides and drills, we all get together, one of the leaders says a few words about the race, and we pray.
scrunners: Do you have a favorite running book or movie?
darnell: I like Once a Runner and A Cold Clear Day, both running books.
scrunners: Have you ever met a professional athlete?
darnell: Nope.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured? If so, explain. How did you maintain fitness during this time?
darnell: I strained my ankle over the winter my junior year, that gave me some problems. I had been running with the guys at Strictly Running, one of Columbia's running stores. Apparently I was doing too much, because I ended up having to go get it X-rayed. Back then, I was stupid, so I just ran through it. I took advantage of ice and ibuprofen to keep it from hurting.
scrunners: What do you look for in a coach and what do you expect a coach to look for in you?
darnell: I look for a coach that is dedicated to the team, not just there for themselves. I look for a coach that is constantly trying to improve the kids on their team, athletically and as people. I expect the coach to figure out who the workers are, and take them seriously. If I'm not taken seriously, I quit listening to people.
scrunners: What keeps you motivated to get out the door on a daily basis for life and running?
darnell: I enjoy hanging out with my buddies. I like to run with other people most of the time, except when I need to mentally prepare for something. If I'm somewhere where there's new scenery, though, I'll run just to enjoy it.
scrunners: Have you ever thought about coaching cross-country or track? If so, what level and why?
darnell: I have, but I don't think I have the organization to be a successful coach. I would love being around runners all the time. I look at other sports, and I honestly think that people who do track & field/cross-country are the best all-around people I know. I probably would coach at the high school level, so I could watch as the dedicated kids developed over the years I coached them.
scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could achieve, what would it be and why?
darnell: I just want to enjoy what I do. I believe that if you enjoy your life, you've accomplished all you need.