Kurak with his teammates Andrew Nordquist, Dylan Johnson & Jake Johnson after their 5th-place finish in the 4x800 at State (Photo provided by Reed Kurak)
First of all, how did you first start running?
My parents convinced me to try cross country for at least one year instead of soccer when I was a freshman. My dad and brother had been runners.
What are all your personal records, including cross country?
400: 51.3
800: 1:56
1600: 4:25
3200: 9:20
5k cc: 15:38
Do you do, or have you done, any sports other than track and cross country?
I played soccer year-round from when I was 4 until 9th grade. I also still play in a 5v5 winter league at the National Sports Center on Friday nights with some friends. I am also on an intramural basketball team with some of my cross country teammates and we're hoping to win the championship this year.
Soccer seems to be the first sport of a plethora of distance runners. How do you feel playing soccer for as long as you did helped you become a great runner?
I played midfield in soccer, and was always running around on the field and I usually never found myself getting as tired as the other players even though I ran more. When I got older my teams did a lot of conditioning and I even got my first introduction to some hills through soccer.
What is your favorite or most memorable race you have ever run?
My favorite and most memorable race was the section 4x800 last year. It was memorable because of the pouring rain and standing water in some places. I was the anchor leg and we were in 2nd place for pretty much the whole race losing to our rival Mounds View, but narrowed the gap in the 3rd leg. I got the baton and I knew that Anoka had a fast anchor leg and they were just a second or two behind us, so I had to go fast just for a shot at State and I ended up catching the Mounds View runner with 200 meters left, going around the corner and passed him with ten meters left to win the Section title and set the school record. I have the video on my phone and watch it for inspiration before most races.
Who are some of your favorite athletes to compete against (other than your own teammates)?
My team usually stays in the north suburbs to compete so I end up running against Kevin Dado and Alex Miley a lot and we have been racing each other and changing places since freshman year.
What are your main goals for this upcoming season?
I want to win State in the 4x800 after getting 5th and returning 4 all runners last year, and I want to get top 5 at State in the 3200M.
(Photo provided by Reed Kurak)
Last year's state 4x800 was a very exciting race with Hopkins setting the State Meet record in 7:44. With everyone returning from your team, do you think you could make a run at breaking it?
We broke our school record at the Section meet and State meet last year and we hope to lower that by more. But we have more of our focus on winning the state 4x800 than setting the record because it's a very impressive time that would be hard to beat.
Now that your high school cross country career is done, do you have any reflections on it? Things you wish you had done, things you're proud of accomplishing, how you've changed mentally or physically as a result of CC, etc?
After being a part of the State team in 9th 10th and 11th grade I wish our team had been able to make it to state my senior year as well. When I first started cross country I wasn't sure what to expect and I wasn't even sure if I would stay in it all 4 years of high school or switch to soccer. I ended up meeting all my goals I set freshman year by the third meet of the season and after that I decided to stick with cross country and work on improving. I really enjoyed being a part of the close-knit cross country team at Centennial and my teammates ended up becoming my best friends.
Do you have any college plans?
I am going to Augustana University for school and to run cross country and track.
What were the things that drew you to Augustana the most? And what current athlete(s) there are you most excited to run with?
I knew they have a good cross country program that competes at a national level every year. I think I will be challenged as a runner but I also hope to be someone that contributes on the team. I just look forward to running with all of the guys I met on the team on my official visit.
Do you have any rituals or superstitions either on or off the track?
I'm not a very superstitious person.
When not running miles or turning left, what might we find you doing?
You could probably find me with my friends at one of Centennials sporting events or playing intramural sports.
Tell me one bizarre fact about yourself.
My tongue is so short it can barely reach above my lips when trying to touch my nose.