First of all, how did you first get involved with running?
I first joined running when I was in fourth grade through Perham's "Mighty Mite" program. I discovered then that I had a passion for the sport. So when it came to middle school and only being able to join one fall sport I chose to be involved with cross country. Another influence in my decision to run, was my families involvement in running as well. my mom being the most influential as she ran competitively in college. My older siblings also competed in cross country and track and field throughout their high school careers, Tristan (28), and Ciarrin (22).
What are all your personal records, including XC?
4k 15:22.0, 5k 18:57.5, 1600m 5:08.07, 800m 2:20.28, 3200m 11:06.70
Do you do, or have you done, any other sports?
I am mainly involved in running and training year round. I was involved in speech for my first two years of high school. This past year I was one of the boys varsity basketball managers. I am also involved in Interact, Student Council, prom committee, rotary, choir and national honor society.
What is your favorite or most memorable competition you've ever been in?
By far one of the most memorable competitions I have ever been in was the 2015 Class A state cross country meet. Not only because our girls team came out with the first ever team class A championship title, but because everyone competed with everything they had that day having one of their best races of the season and our entire community supported and celebrated with us.
Other than your own teammates, who are some of your favorite athletes to compete against?
Some of my favorite athletes to compete against are from local teams. I come from a rural part of Minnesota, it is hard to put or mark on the map. The teams from communities like mine are my favorite to compete with because we don't have the advantage of competing with the best athletes in the state at every meet. We compete and train to make each other better, so when we make it to those bigger meets we can compete with athletes from larger schools and make or mark on the map.
Who are some people that have been most helpful to you in your athletic career?
The most obvious people that has been helpful to me would be my coaches, especially Jeff Morris. He has become another father figure to me over the years and has truly formed me into the athlete I am today. Not only by training me but also by teaching me drive and a positive mental attitude. My parents have also been extremely supportive along my journey and I couldn't thank them enough. My teammates throughout the years that became my family and made me love the sport that much more. Also my community, coming from a community that notices success in high school athletics, recognizes it, and supports us is really amazing.
What type of training or workouts have been the most effective in helping you develop into the athlete you've become?
I love workouts that after doing some sort of repetitive longer distance reps, I go and do some sort of sprinting after. This helps me learn to find that strength at the end of the race, when I most need it. I love these workouts because I have been outkicked at the end of races quite a lot in my running career and I am finally learning the importance of the last five meters of a race and to fight back when it comes to it.
What is a challenge you have had to face as an athlete?
One of the biggest challenges I have faced was when I got a serious hip injury that caused me to not be able to reach my full potential. Before having this injury my sophomore year, I never really realized how passionate I was about running and how if it is taken away from me my life wouldn't be the same. Being injured was very hard for me, because no matter what I did to try speed up my recovery, it was never enough and I fell more behind other athletes that kept advancing. I couldn't given up, but instead I would take spend hours every day taking care of my injury through icing, therapy, medication, and strengthening. On top of all of that I continued to train with my teammates and compete. After my freshman track season I finally was reaching my old self and my hip was regaining its initial strength, but even more this time. That summer I was so passionate about getting back into the field, I trained harder then I ever had before. Going into my junior cross country season the improvement amazed everyone, even myself.
As a senior, how have your perspectives, strategies, or attitudes changed since you first started doing track, what advice would you give to younger athletes?
As a senior I understand how tricky the sport of track can be. Many people find what they are best at in track throughout the process of trying many different things. It took a while to find where I belong and where I best compete at. I have always loved the sport of track because it brings a broad variety of athletes together to work as a team. I always have enjoyed giving my part to help out the team and track allows me to do that and also cheer on those that are doing events I wouldn't be able to do. It is a lot of fun and I encourage everyone to at least try it and find their passion in it as I have.
What were your main goals for this track season?
This track season I am mainly focusing no leaving high school with no regrets. I know that I am fit and I know that I am capable of doing whatever I want. I plan to not take advantage of a single moment and use each practice as a stepping stone to some of the bigger competitions. Another goal I have is to just enjoy myself, and have a fun senior track season with my team mates.
(Photo provided by Brynnan Covington)
As this season is winding down, how do you feel what you've accomplished so far, and what do you hope to achieve in State competition?
As a senior it is hard to tell whether you are doing everything you want to or not, because after this year I can never go back and redeem myself or make my mark. Growing up I always hoped to accomplish my goals and make my name and my town known. So far, I believe I have given my best effort towards my goals. I hope to continue to do all I can and challenge myself to do better. Some of my final goals going into the competitive season, are to first redeem myself from last year's section appearance, and then to run my best race at the state meet. I plan to run it strategically and go into it being confident in what I am capable of. Because I still don't know what that may be, but I am excited to find out and to show the state that as well.
Do you have any college plans?
I plan to attend North Dakota State University, focusing on business, with a major in accounting and business management. I also plan to be a part of the Bison cross country and track teams.
What were some of the things that helped you decide to attend NDSU?
Some factors that went into my decision to choose NDSU, was the educational aspects, like the amazing business school and what the school could offer me academically through classes, and advanced teaching atmospheres. Also, on the running side, their amazing brand new state of the art facilities, the extremely talented coaches, who will take me to another step in my running ability and some really friendly and fun teammates I enjoyed to be around. The school is close to home, and family means a lot to me. Also the school is very inexpensive for all that it has to offer from the education to the food plan.
Do you have any rituals, routines, or superstitions either on or off the track?
Most of my rituals would be in cross country with before race chants and some pep talks between my team mates and I. Some of my routines would be carbo loading the night before a meet or race.
When not doing anything track-related, what might we find you doing?
Somethings I like to do in my free time include spending time with family and friends, my dog named Angus, reading a book that I can't pull my eyes away from, baking, volunteering with some of the groups in involved in, nonstop studying or doing homework for school, and watching my favorite television series on Netflix.
Tell me one bizarre fact about yourself.
One bizarre fact about me could be that I come from a big family, with 5 siblings. I also own a lot of animals, growing up on sort of a hobby farm. Another bizarre fact about me could be that I was 4th in the nation in a kids que competition at the American Royale BBQ competition.
