Megan Mooney will be joining one of the nation's finest track and field programs at Florida State University. Photo by Alan Versaw.
Megan Mooney's Best Marks:
800 Meters - 2:16.07 (at altitude)
1600 Meters - 4:58.18 (at altitude)
3200 Meters - 10:57.37 (at altidue)
5K Cross Country - 17:33.7
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If I understand correctly, you have a bit of a connection with Florida State to begin with. Was it a foregone conclusion that Florida State would be your #1 choice?
Both of my parents attended and ran for Florida State and I also have two cousins who attend there now. However, Florida State was not always at the top of my list. I was very open throughout the recruiting process and looked into many great schools. It wasn't until I went on my official visit and met the team and coaching staff that I knew that's where I wanted to be. Another factor that pushed me towards FSU was the fact that they compete for championships in cross country and track, they aren't just a distance-based program.
What do you plan to study at Florida State?
I plan to study business and potentially go into sports management.
Have the coaches at FSU given you any sort of idea yet what event or events they see you fitting into in the college ranks?
Coach Kelly and I have briefly spoken about what I'll be running next year. I will most likely range from the 1500 to 5k and definitely try the steeple. My dad ran the steeple in college, so it has always been something I wanted to try.
You've seen considerable success at a lot of different distances. Do you have a favorite distance to run?
I like all of the races from the 800 to 3200 and the 5K--and even the 400 when I do run it. My favorite distance to run is the 1600. It's the perfect distance for me to use both my speed and endurance. I also had the race of my life at that distance my sophomore year at state, battling Lauren Gregory and Jordyn Colter. It's that race that gave me the confidence that I could be one of the top runners in the state, which makes me love the 1600 even more.
What would be your favorite high school memory--to date--from cross country or track?
There are so many great memories I could choose from, but I would say my favorite is from the 2015 Front Range League Championships. I had not been able to run for four months due to a stress fracture and this was my second meet back. My sister Madison, Natalie Platil, Taylor Bakel and I were running the 4x800. We knew it would be tough, but during our warm up we made it our goal to win the race and be first team All-Conference. All four of us ran phenomenal and together we ended up running the #3 time in 5A at that point and breaking our school record by over 20 seconds. That was the first time we had really run for each other and it was the best feeling to be a part of a relay team which could compete with the top teams in the state. It's great to qualify for state as an individual, but that pales in comparison to when you get to experience it with your teammates and best friends. I couldn't be more proud of those girls that day or be more thankful they ran their hearts out so I could be given the opportunity to go to state.
You have some time down now to think about training and start building in the work for spring season. Are there any particular goals you have for the spring that drive you along?
I have a few goals in mind for the coming track season. First, I want to stay healthy all season. Second, I am looking to improve my PR's in each of my races because my best times are from sophomore year since I was injured last spring. Third, I would like to help get our 4x800 team back to state, as we are all returning, so we can improve on our finish from last year. Finally, my biggest goal is to be a state champion. There are many amazing runners in Colorado and they are all great competitors who push me to run my hardest. It will be great to run against all of them throughout the season and at state for one last time.