Speaking With Speicher


(Photo provided by Carson Speicher)

First of all, how did you first get involved with running?

I started running in 4th grade. I joined Perham's 5th and 6th grade cross country program. I asked the head coach if I could join early after I sparked an interest from watching my older brother compete and having success, and realizing that I might be too small for the football field.

What are all your personal records, including XC?

3200 - 10:07

1600 - 4:27

800 - 2:01

400 (MSHSL-timed split ) - 50.469

5k (XC) 16:46

Do you do, or have you done, any other sports?

I played basketball up until the 11th grade, tried football in 5th grade but quit a week into it when the only thing I enjoyed about it was the running, and also in the summer I have a whiffle ball league that goes on in my backyard.

What is your favorite or most memorable competition you've ever been in?

I have had lots of memorable competitions. Anyone of my seven state appearances I've had in track and cross country I could recall almost any detail, but the race I always think back on is the state 1600 meter run in my sophomore season. It was above 90 degrees and had no idea what to expect with how the weather was and if I would be able to close hard in it. The race started and our strategy was to go out in the middle of the pack and stay more relaxed in the hot weather. The plan worked perfectly and I was able to run a 1:02 last lap and finish 5th in the state! On top of that I beat my brothers overall high school PR in that race, so it's always fun to bring that up to him.


(Photo provided by Carson Speicher)

Other than your own teammates, who are some of your favorite athletes to compete against?

I really enjoy getting to compete with the Mora boys. We have formed a really close friendly rivalry with them and I always try to catch up with them after races. One of their runners, Alec Sanbeck, and I actually did a jersey swap. I also like competing against Ryley Nelson from WCA, I've gotten to know him very well, and it's always fun getting to compete against him. 

Next year both Perham and Mora will look a lot different in XC due to graduation. Do you think one will have any leg up on the other, or will you still be in tight battles like last year?

It's hard to say at this point who will have the advantage going into next season, but I know we will be ready. We are graduating a core group of seniors, four runners out of our top seven. But I know the underclassman that we have coming are hungry and ready to compete at that highest levels in the state. We are a very deep team, and I have no doubts that my teammates coming are any less hungry that I am to go and compete for a title. Next year will be a fun ride, and I'm looking forward to competing against Mora, and the rest of the state.

Who are some people that have been most helpful to you in your athletic career?

My brother is my biggest role model in my life and for running. He has helped me so much to be the runner I am today. Watching him race is still one of my favorite things to do, and the way he just competes. He gives it his very all and races with all his heart, and doesn't back down from a challenge no matter how big. He has had so much success in the sport and he's deserved every accolade. I've still never seen someone work so hard to see where he has gotten, and I'm so proud of him. If I have a portion of the success he has had in his running, I would be so very happy. My parents have also helped me tons, showing their overwhelming support, and will do anything to help me become better. Finally my coach, Jeff Morris has helped me immensely. I believe he's one of the best coaches in the nation, and he cares so much about every single runner in his program.

(Photo provided by Carson Speicher)

What is a challenge you have had to face as an athlete?

I've been diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and basilar migraines which I've had to learn to deal with over the past couple years, and try to make it affect my performance as little as possible. I've gotten to the point where it almost never affects me at all.

What is your favorite or most effective workout you have done?

My favorite workout to do are speed workouts, or Vo2 max. I like getting the legs pumping at a race pace. So my favorite workout that we do are 400s at Vo2 max, hitting paces in the mid-50s, and just feeling fast, and primed up.

Perham's distance program has seen fantastic success for well over a decade. What is it like to be a part of a consistently successful program like yours, in particular as a smaller school?

To be part of a program where you are competing for a state title every year is an athletes dream. Every runner that has come through the program is blessed to have had the coaching staff we have here. As a smaller school it can be harder to have a solid team every year because we don't have the numbers the bigger schools have, but we can compete with the big schools every year because of our coaches, and because we believe we can. Our coach Jeff Morris's quote is " The size of our school does not limit the size of our dreams." And all of us buy into that. The coaches strive to make everyone on the team better. Our coaches value a Junior high runner just as much as our varsity runners, because they know that's the future. Everyone is working hard and trying to achieve the same goal as one unit. Our guys and girls team, 7th grade through 12th, are one family, one team. We are not a collaboration of different teams. We are all Perham runners, one family, who sacrifice it all on the line. That's why I think we have the continued success we have. Because everyone values all the aspects that every individual can bring, and how we are all one giant family who all work for the same goal.

What are your main goals for this track season?

My goals for this track season is to go down to state in three events this year, and try to make podium in all three. I've done it with two, so why not shoot for three? 

What three events will that be, or is it still up in the air? 

I'm pretty set on three events that I really think I can thrive in, but also those things could change. So I think I'm going to keep to myself what I plan on doing at state and build some suspense.


(Photo provided by Carson Speicher)

Do you have any college plans yet?

I have no plans at the moment.

Do you have any rituals, routines, or superstitions either on or off the track?

Every morning no matter if it's a race day or not my dad makes me a smoothie that I have for breakfast. In my freshman year I started to wear these crazy wacky pants to every meet. I like trying to have as much fun as possible, so these pants can usually do the trick.

When not doing anything track-related, what might we find you doing?

When I'm not running you could find me hanging out with friends, playing video games, playing whiffle ball in my backyard, or on camping trip that our family tries to do frequently in the summer.

Tell me one bizarre fact about yourself.

I had to get stitches above my right eye at midnight the day before a race, because I and my teammate got in a little wrestling match in the hotel room we were staying at. Safe to say it's not fun going to your coaches room at that time of night saying I might have to go to the hospital. Still ran the race tho!