Spencer Schultz
Rosemount High School
What are all your personal records?
800 - 2:01
1600 - 4:28
3200 - 9:50
XC 5k - 15:58
How did you get started as a track or cross country athlete?
I got started as a cross country athlete when I was a freshman in high school after having deciding to not play football, but my parents wanted me to stay active and do a fall sport. They recommended that I try this thing called cross country, because I had been running track since I could remember. I have been doing track all my life since kindergarten with the RAAA program. I also did a program called R.E.A.L. Track and Field in the summers during middle school and then have done all four years of high school track and field.
What was your most memorable competition?
My most memorable competition would have to be the True Team State Meet this year in track and field. Having always lost to Prior Lake every year of my high school career in the section meet it was very special to me to finally be able to go and compete with some of the best teams in the state. I ran the 1600 and the 3200 while also high jumping and achieved personal bests in all of them thanks to some great competition. We ended up taking fourth in that meet which was higher than we were seeded on paper, so that's and even better memory that I will get to keep!
Who were your biggest competitors in your track/XC career?
I got to know many great people that I competed against at almost every meet in cross country and on the oval. One of the most respectable people I have ever met is Bryant Ruff of Eastview High School. He is not only a tough competitor but also a great person and I will miss our conversations at meets these last few years. Another athlete I am close with is Trenton Allen from Eagan High School. Trenton and I did R.E.A.L. Track and Field back in middle school together so it was awesome to continue our friendship throughout our four years of high school cross country and track.
What was your greatest accomplishment as a track/XC athlete?
My greatest accomplishment of cross country would have to be my runner-up finish in the South Suburban Conference meet. Coming in as a freshman I never really knew what to expect from my experience in cross country, but I never expected anything like that and to go 1-2 with Luke was an awesome experience. My greatest experience on the track has to be True Team Sections my senior year and the experience to celebrate a state berth with all the young guys on our team this year was awesome.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your track/XC high school?
If I could change one thing about my high school running experience it would be to invest more time and energy as a younger runner. Coming in as a freshman I never really bought into the program until about halfway through my sophomore year of cross country when I saw that I could really make an impact on the team.
How have your coaches been an influence to you as an athlete and a person?
My coaches have had a huge influence on me as a person. Coach Harder has been one of the biggest influences on my life to date. He has taught me about being a leader, being a good student (I had him as my US History teacher), he taught me how to deal with adversity head on, and there are so many things I could go on and on. I could never thank him enough for all he has done for me. Some other coaches include both Hatlelis, Coach Lorch, Coach Fendrich, and Coach Lehn.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
I've had to overcome are injuries almost every year. I had very bad hip issues as a freshman and sophomore, but luckily those subsided going into my junior year. Most other injuries have been relatively minor besides a bone contusion and torn ligament after Griak my junior year.
What will you miss the most about high school track/XC?
I'm most definitely going to miss the people on the team. I've been lucky enough to have some continuity in my four years when it comes to people I have run with. The amount of miles that I have run with the same group of people is amazing. We have bonded so much in these years it's going to be so weird running without all you guys.
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
Try your hardest no matter where you are on the team. This is one of the biggest lessons I've learned in my high school career is the harder you try the more of an impact you're going to make.
What are your post-graduation plans?
Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
I want to say thank you to all of my coaches I've had throughout my high school career including but not limited to, Harder, Lorch, Fendrich, and Hatleli. I also want to thank my exit buddy Luke Labatte, and training group Mark Biechler, Danny Cox, and Payne Freske for being there everyday to push me to be the best runner and person I can be. Lastly, I want to thank my parents and family for being there when I would need a ride when I was younger and for attending every single meet I have run in.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?