What are your personal records?
1600: 4:35
3200: 9:53
5k: 16:54
How did you get started as a track or cross country athlete?
My older sister Amy joined cross country when I was in 4th grade, so I had been to the courses and track meets and I knew that this was something I was going to want to do once I entered 7th grade. My parents also really encouraged me to go out as they both ran competitively in high school and college. I gave it a try, and I didn't like it right away as I was a lot more into basketball and baseball, but I ended up loving it.
What was your most memorable competition?
That would have to be the Section 7AAA True Team meet this year. I was running just the 3200, trying to break 10 for the first time, which had been a goal of mine I had been trying to hit since early junior year. I was coming off a frustrating 10:20 performance the week before at the Maple Grove Invite, so I wasn't too confident in myself. When the race started I just stuck behind 4 guys I knew that were great runners- Adam Wilkinson, Eli Hoeft, Zach Long, and Nick Scheller, and did everything in my power to try and stay right behind them, and that really helped me, they were very smart racers, so it helped me run consistent splits. Laps 6 and 7 I started to fall off a little bit, but on the last lap I had a 67 second last lap which led me to a 20 second personal best of 9:53. I remember my teammate Sam Theisen giving me a hug as soon as he crossed the line because he knew I had broken 10, and then I was just jumping up and down and shouting out of excitement.
Who were your greatest competitors in your track/XC career?
In the last couple years I have gotten to know Justin Brakob well from racing him, we've had some close races together, and that has really pushed me. In the past, Parker Phillips was a great competetor both when he was on my team and after he transferred, but he eventually got so fast that I wasn't close to him in races. Overall, just my section and conference competitors have all been great to race, and get to know. I've made a lot of friends from other schools over the years and I'm thankful for that experience.
What was your greatest accomplishment as a track/XC athlete?
My greatest accomplishment would have to been a couple of weeks ago when I was presented with athlete of the year at Armstrong during our senior recognition ceremony. I wasn't expecting it at all, and I was presented with a Wheaties box with a picture of me running on it. It was a shocking, but very exciting moment for me.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your track/XC career?
I would try to stress less about my races. I would get nervous before races to the point where I felt like I needed to throw up before most of my races. I would try to find more ways to relax and enjoy it, because it goes by quickly.
What are some pump up songs you listen to before races?
Well I have differently named playlists on my phone that are specifically meant to prepare me and the guys for races. I start of my morning listening to a "Car Rides" playlist on my way to school, and that's filled with classic songs, by artists like Earth, Wind, and Fire, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Paul McCartney, that type of stuff. Then- when we're in the locker room on race day, I put on a "Locker Room" playlist on my Beats Pill, where we're blasting songs like Broccoli, iSpy, Ultimate, Water. Then, on the bus ride to meets, I have a separate playlist for that too, blasting just crazy pump up songs that get me and the boys ready- like I Like Tuh, Rolex, HUMBLE, Sandstrom, N... Friends in Paris, and Man of the Year. Now for the rest of the day before I race I have my headphones in, listening to my specifically made Pre Race Playlist, which is more my type of music, a little more relaxed, but just gets me focused and ready to go. Now after the race, If I have a bad race, I'll bring out the Feels playlist, which is a lot of pretty sad songs.
How have your coaches been an influence to you as an athlete and a person?
Since 7th grade, I've had my Cross Country coaches Robb Stephens and Colin Woelfle really push me to be the best I can be, to take accountability for things I did wrong, and to try and not waste any talent. They pushed me to be successful not only as a runner, but as a student, and person too. Starting in Junior track season, we had a new Track coach, Ben Drexler, who helped my confidence a lot, he made me believe I was capable of doing things I didn't think I was capable of, and always believed in me.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Right before my sophomore track season, I got mono. It destroyed my energy levels, and when I wasn't at school or running, I was probably sleeping. I wasn't able to reach really any of my PRs that year, and it took way longer than I expected to fully recover from it.
What will you miss the most about high school track/XC?
I will miss being with the guys every day at practice. These were some of my best friends, and seeing them 6 days a week at practice truly made high school running a ton of fun.
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
Enjoy it while it lasts, because it goes by very quick. Have fun with it, while at the same time, push yourself to your limits, and see how good you can truly be.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I will be attending the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire, while majoring in Criminal Justice and continuing my XC/Track career.
Is there anyone you would like to say hi to?
I'd like to thank my parents, coaches, and friends for the support and getting me through the tough times. Parker Phillips and Daniel Niemi have been in Cross Country with me since 7th grade, and I probably would have wanted to quit if they weren't there with me on that first brutal week of practice.
(Photo provided by Doug Hubred)
