(Photo provided by Cole Striech)
First of all, how did you first start running?
To be completely honest, I don't really remember how I started running exactly, but my parents were both runners in college and my older siblings were runners so I wanted to be just like them, which led me to start my running career at a very young age. I started off running by tagging along with the older kids who ran in my dad's running club when I was around 7 years old. From there, running progressed for me and became a big part of my life and led me to where I am now.
What are all your personal records, including cross country?
400m run- 55 seconds
800m run- 2:00.64
1600m run- 4:22.72
3200m run- 9:40
5000m run- 16:22
Do you do, or have you done, any sports other than track and cross country?
Along with track & field and cross country, I still play basketball which I started playing in 4th grade and am currently a starter on our varsity team. Besides that, I played football from 4th-6th grade but made the switch to cross country in 7th grade.
What is your favorite or most memorable race you have ever run?
The most memorable race for me was when I won my first varsity race. We were at a track meet in Fairmont and as a short scrawny 7th grader I had to run the 3200m. I led most of the way and in the last 100m, I realized that I had a huge chance to win. I ended up holding on to the lead and winning by a second.
Who are some of your favorite athletes to compete against (other than your own teammates)?
Over the past couple years I've developed a "rivalry," so to speak, with Adam Tuma of Faribault, and that has definitely helped me advance my running because I know it will always be competitive between us. He is my favorite person to run against because of the competitive nature between us.
What has it been like the last two years with Waseca being bumped up to AA after being Class A your first four years?
I haven't really felt much of a difference between A and AA these past two years until I've reached the Section meet. We have pretty much kept the same schedule all six of my years, but it was a little different with the atmosphere at our meets against A schools since we were considered the big guys because of our move up to a bigger class. Along with that, the Section meet was a lot more competitive, and I knew I had to train harder throughout the off-season and season in order to advance to State. The State Meet was also much more competitive and my race strategy had to change so I didn't go out with the lead group like I had done all of the regular season and instead, I went out with the middle of the pack.
Do you think you will stick to that same strategy this year, or might you be more aggressive?
It will all depend on how my times compare to my competitors. However, I think that this year I plan on being more aggressive and depending on who I am up against, negative splitting each lap and shooting for new PR's or just going for a win. This could definitely change race by race because of weather and competition though.
Your brother Shane had a hugely successful career as a runner and now runs at the University of Minnesota. As his younger brother, does it sometimes seem like expectations feel different than other great runners?
With Shane having been a standout runner in Minnesota during his high school tenure, I did feel some pressure in order to exceed what he had done before me. However, I learned that instead of being "Shane's brother," I had the ability to make a name for myself as well which helped me work harder. I've also realized that we have different body types and that I had to do workouts according to my own capabilities in order to excel and be the runner I wanted to be.
What are your main goals for this upcoming season?
For the upcoming season, my main goal is to make the podium in the 1600m, 3200m, or both at the State Meet. I missed the podium in the 1600 by less than one-tenth of a second last year. Also, I would like to qualify for New Balance Nationals in the 1600m, which I would have to run a 4:16 in order to do so. And I want to break 1:57 in the 800. A dream goal would be to win a State Championship because, after all, it can't hurt to dream big, right?
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?
I am thankful for having been given teammates who were committed to running, especially my first four years of cross. I wish I would've been more ready to go for the State Meet my junior and senior year because I ended up not running well both of those years there. I'm proud of our 3rd placing at state as a team my 8th grade year and for how hard our team pushed one other during practice every day. In result of being a part of the cross country team I have matured in my leadership, and I was captain my junior and senior years. Mentally, I'm stronger and can push through the pain and grind it out more often than not. Physically, I have developed more lean muscle but have suffered through my share of injuries including Achilles problems, hip problems and knee issues which continue to affect me at times. It was all worth it however.
Do you have any college plans?
Next year I will be attending The University of South Dakota to continue my running career and I am leaning towards majoring in Operational Analytics there.
What were the things that drew you to USD the most? Also, what athlete are you most excited to run with at USD next year (either a current athlete or a senior you know is going there)?
One of the things that drew me to USD is the coaching staff. Coach Fitz is a great, humorous guy and I know he will help push me to reach my full potential. Along with that, I fit right in with the guys there. Additionally, USD has great facilities including a newer outdoor track and a nice indoor track which was intriguing to me. Overall, the campus fit me really well and the perks of running at a DI school helped draw me in as well. Attending USD gives me a chance to earn a great education and it gives me the opportunity to possibly compete against my brother yet again. This time however, we would be on different teams and racing one another. I'm excited to run with all the guys at USD next year, but I am especially excited to run with the incoming freshman. There are a couple of guys from Wisconsin and South Dakota that run very similar times to me, including Luke Bailey who won the State Championship in his Wisconsin class in cross country this last year. I know we will all be pushing one another to excel and I look forward to that.
Do you have any rituals, routines, or superstitions either on or off the track?
Off the track, the only routine I really have is that I make smoothies almost daily for breakfast in order to keep me alert and awake in the morning. On the track, my warm-up consists of a prayer before every race about a multitude of stuff.
When not running miles or turning left, what might we find you doing?
When I am not running, you can find me playing basketball, playing video games, watching Netflix, or every once in a while I will be reading a book.
Tell me one bizarre fact about yourself.
I had an interview on Sportscenter along with another teammate last spring after our crazy, Section final basketball game where we advanced to State after four overtimes and three buzzer-beaters.
I see Waseca is again having a great year on the court. Any more plans for buzzer-beating heroics?
Our team is definitely picking up where we left off last year and improving as a whole every game. We know we have another shot at a state appearance. We aren't currently planning for any buzzer-beaters or four-overtime games yet, but if it does happen, then we will hopefully have some luck left over from last year!
