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<strong>Colorado's Class of 2014 makes their decisions...</strong></p>
When it came down to the big decision, Carson Hume took Colorado State over Portland. Contributed photo.
Carson Hume's best marks:
(Hume missed the 2013 outdoor season due to injuries)
1600 meters - 4:33.67 (at altitude)
3200 meters - 10:18.06 (at altitude)
5K cross country - 15:36.10
How long have you been thinking about Colorado State, and why?
The spring of my junior year I began looking at college programs and Coach Siemers' history at Mines jumped out at me. To take guys who ran 2:00 in high school to All-Americans running 1:49 for 800m is really impressive.
When it came down to making a decision, what tilted the tables in CSU's favor?
I was fortunate enough to also have interest from the University of Portland, so I was able to compare and contrast a bit, which was really eye opening to just how great a fit CSU is for me. At either school I would excel as a runner -- both Coach Conner and Coach Siemers are excellent coaches -- but the academic opportunities in my area of study and the ministry platform at CSU are fantastic.
You've gone through high school in a state where a lot of us old timers know who your father is and what he accomplished during high school and the years following. How has all of that impacted your own high school running experience?
Upon entering high school I had actually played ice hockey for about ten years, so running was a new thing for me, though I had always wanted to follow in my dad's footsteps, state championships and all. With that in mind, I think one of the most important things God has taught me is that history doesn't always repeat itself: injuries happen, competition is different, and most of all He has an individual plan for each of us. Oh, and thanks to my dad's athletic history, he'll run into people he knows just about everywhere, especially at meets--no pun intended. :)
What's been the best experience of your high school career to date?
The Joe Vigil Invitational this year was really special. 2013 was a crazy year in terms of injuries -- from a stress fracture to diaphragm adhesions -- and in Alamosa everything fell into place, mentally, physically, the whole shebang. Plus the combination of racing on a golf course and meeting the legendary Coach Vigil finished off the icing on the cake.
What's your #1 goal for what's left of your high school career?
Stay healthy! And drop some big PRs.
You've had a number of very accomplished teammates at Dakota Ridge. Is there any one lesson in particular that you learned from any of them that stands out in your mind?
Danny Carney always told me that nothing great ever came from within the confines of comfort. His legacy as an athlete is a true testament to the statement. Along with Danny's lessons, Nate Morrison always taught me to never take life too seriously!
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With the 2013 season a missed opportunity due to injuries, the spring of 2014 takes on additional significance for Carson Hume. You should see a lot of him on his "home" track at Jefferson County Stadium. And figure that he reinserts himself into the 5A order of things on the track.