Wil Modjeski - Cotter High School
What are all your personal records?
200m-24.8
400m-53.5
800m-2:00.29
How did you get started as a track or cross country athlete?
I had to stop playing contact sports due to health issues, so one of my teachers, who happened to be the track coach, asked me to come out and see what track and field was all about. The rest is history, and cross country soon followed.
What was your most memorable competition?
Section 1A 800m finals of 2019. Cotter hosted the meet, and I will never forget how many people came out to support me.
Who were the biggest competitors in your track/XC career?
Korrigan Diercks of St. Charles, Cole Peters of Zumbrota-Mazeppa, and Alex Boudreau of La Crescent. All great guys on and off the track.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your track/XC high school?
Taking it more seriously sooner.
How have your coaches been an influence on you as an athlete and a person?
All my coaches have taught me different lessons but in short, one of my coaches, Ryan Ping sent me a quote that pretty much sums it up. "But after the competition is over, after the vision has (or has not) been achieved, it is your sense of purpose that draws you further, that compels you to set a new vision. This, again, is why personal mystery must be a discipline. It is a process of continually focusing and refocusing on what one truly wants, on one's visions.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Plateaus in performance, low Iron, working on mental toughness.
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
Don't cheat yourself. Always do what's going to make you a better person and runner. Set goals, and achieve them.
What are your post-graduation plans?
I plan to run track and field at University of Sioux Falls.
Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
Anyone who has invested anything into making me a better runner and person. Coaches, family, friends. They have all made a difference.
