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Celebrating Colorado's college-bound track and cross country athletes:</h3>
Dylan Day keeps his school colors intact by committing to the University of Mississippi. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
With the early signing period nearly upon us, it's time to start running the college signing features once again. We begin this year's set with Fountain-Fort Carson's Dylan Day, who signs next week with the University of Mississippi. Look for many more of these features to follow...
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Dylan Day's personal bests:
800 meters - 1:56.86
1600 meters - 4:21.38
3200 meters - 9:43.57
5K cross country - 16:35
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Tell us a little about what brought you to the decision to sign with the University of Mississippi.
I looked at Ole Miss and several other places. I really liked everything at Ole Miss. The campus is amazing, the coach is really really good, I felt like I got along very well with the rest of the team, and it looks like this team is looking towards lots and lots of future success and improvement. I also really like the training style and structure they have down there. I can easily see myself being very, very happy there with all the resources I need to be the best I can be and also just having an amazing, positive atmosphere.
Do you have a clear idea yet of what you want to study while you're there?
I am probably going to be leaning towards a STEM major. I may double major, with one in mechanical engineering and one in just mathematics.
Do you have any plans for post-season cross country meets or are you taking some time down from racing?
I am taking a couple weeks off and then starting to train for track. No post season cross country for me.
Do you have a favorite high school memory from cross country and track?
My favorite memory easily has been winning the team title this last spring in track. I’m sure it feels awesome to win an individual event, but there’s nothing like being able to celebrate a title with your team, knowing each and every one of you contributed and was an important part of bringing that home to your school and your community.
How about a most difficult race that you ever ran?
If by difficult you mean painful, then the most difficult race I ever ran was every single 800! If I had to pick one I’d say the 4x800 at the Doherty Spartan invitational my sophomore year. It’s just the most painful, awful feeling ever. And it stays forever after the race! I thought the pain would never go away! If by difficult you just mean most competition, then definitely the mile at state this last spring of my junior year. The competition was crazy! I mean I ran a 4:21 at altitude and was 9th… barely even on the podium. I’m proud to say I was part of such an amazing high school race with such high level of competition.
Putting track and cross country together now, what has been your favorite event in high school?
My favorite event in high school has to be between the 4x800 and the mile. I mean the mile just because that’s my best event, but the 4x800 is just so amazing because of the team aspect. And relays are fun especially as anchor if you start not in the lead and get to catch people!
As you look ahead to this spring, you have to be a little excited about the possibilities for Fountain-Fort Carson track and field. I know it sometimes feels a little awkward to be put on the spot about goals, but have you identified any goals yet for the spring season you're willing to share with us?
Teamwise, we always want to do better than the year before, so of course [we] want to win again. Even more so, we want to have the same level of competitiveness and competitive drive and determination that led us to the state title last spring. We of course always want to stay humble and be ready when the state meet comes around. Personally, I want to make a bigger contribution to the team than last year, and I’d like to contribute at least 20 points to our team at state this year.
