(Photo provided by Wylie Phillips)
What are all your Personal Records?
800 - 2:10.29
1600 - 4:43.12
5K (xc) - 17:41.30
How did you get started as a track or cross country athlete?
My parents were both marathoners at the time I joined and both my sister had run cross country and track so by the time I was a 7th grader, I think I had just assumed it was a forgone conclusion that I would run cross country.
What was your most memorable competition?
Probably Roy Griak my Junior year. It wasn't that I ran a great time or our team did particularly well but the atmosphere of the race was unmatched by anything else I've experienced. The course was covered with spectators from the beginning of the day until the end. It was how a Cross Country race was meant to be.
Who were your best competitors in your track/XC career?
Obviously, I have to say my teammates, especially my Senior Captain partners fro Cross Country, Isaac Dahl, Charlie Park, and Kevin Holmes. We were really close in times throughout our careers which was a lot of fun to race together. Big shoutout to Parker Wilhoit for running the long winter miles with me this past season. Outside of my team, I've always found joy in competing with the Mounds View and White Bear members, we all three of us go down to Whitewater State Park at the start of the season for a week and train together and it's fun to make those friendships and then race your friends on the course and the track.
What was your greatest accomplishment as a track/XC athlete?
Most likely my streak of days in a row running. My dad mentioned that he had a streak in high school (465) and I set out to beat it two summers ago. This streak still stands today, the last day off I had was July 26th, 2015. Just the mental toughness it has taken to do at least 2 miles every day is probably my greatest accomplishment.
(Photo provided by Eamon Kuhne)
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your track/XC high school?
Try harder earlier. I loved racing fast and running varsity meets so much my Junior and Senior year and I wish I had the dedication as a younger athlete to compete at a higher level for longer.
How have your coaches been an influence to you as an athlete and a person?
I've known my head coach Brian Bailey for six years, as he was the Coach my 7th-grade year. It was an honor to learn under him for a total of 10 seasons (track and xc.) Coach Bailey isn't a very vocal coach so when he gives a compliment, you know it's sincere and he truly means it. I couldn't think of a better mentor to have for the past six years.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Being injured for most of Freshman Year track. I strained my lower back and couldn't do any physical activity for about two months. At the time I was kinda hyped, It meant I could just sit around and do nothing but while I was injured I really missed running and competition. It shocked me how much I missed my teammates and everything that came with Track and Field.
What will you miss the most about high school track/XC?
The team. Every little thing that made the team so awesome. The obscure group chats we had, the weird traditions, the pasta feeds, so much more. It truly was a band of brothers.
(Photo provided by Wylie Phillips)
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
First of all, listen to your captains. Cannot tell you how annoying it was when middle schoolers refuse to listen. Secondly, if you want to be a good runner, take it seriously and give 100% in practice. Cross Country is great in that no one gets cut so there can be people that just want to run and they don't really care how good they are, but I think if you want to be a good runner, don't slack off and pretend you don't care. Be passionate and care about how you and your team does.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I plan to attend The Driehaus School of Business and DePaul University in Chicago. I'm attempting to walk-on for both cross country and track as well.
Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
My parents. They stood with me through bad times, bad races, bad attitudes, and generally middle school and freshman year. They supported my ambitions and desires from day one and were at every meet cheering me one, in 35-degree rain, and in 90-degree heat. With my sisters competing in track and xc in high school, this year was their 20th seeing a Kuhne child run and I'm glad I could make it worth it for them.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Mark Rice, editor of the Minnesota MileSplit Page, was possibly the most intense LDE partner at SportRadar. That being said, we did have a flawless basketball game when we worked together.