Q) Talk about the recruitment process - what other schools were you looking at, and how did you come to choosing the Furman?
I believe it was September of my junior year was when the colleges started to reach out to me through my coach, Instagram, and mail.
Furman was one of the first schools to reach out, but especially after track season, I started to get overwhelmed. Me and my mom designed a timeline that would start in July with my top 10 colleges and every month or so narrow it down until I got to my top five. My top five ended up being Colorado, Kansas, Furman, Northern Arizona, and Colorado State. I took official visits to the first four.
We also made a spreadsheet that would rank different aspects of a school from 1 to 10 so that when I got back from my visits I could easily see what I thought of each school and how they compared.
After the four visits I had it down to NAU and Furman and it was very close even on paper. I sat on that decision for about a week and decided that Furman is clearly a special program that was the better fit. The Paladins are going to do big things in the upcoming years and I couldn't be happier with the opportunity to join them!
Q) What do you plan to study at Furman?
At Furman I plan to study exercise science and physiology. This could open up career paths to becoming an athletic trainer, physical therapist, sports medicine doctor, and more. I really like biology and anatomy and how the chemical, biological, and physical aspects of the human body work especially under stress.
Q) What event do you see yourself focusing on at Furman?
I've always thought that I'd be a good 10K runner so I would probably focus more on the longer distances. I tend to do better the longer the distance so I'm confident that the 5K and 10K as well as the 8K/10Ks in cross country season will be a great fit.
Q) What got you into running in the first place?
My first experience with running was in fifth grade in the P.E. mile. I wanted to break 7:30 and our principle who is a runner paced me and one other kid to do it.
I also remember running the pacer test where these automated beeps kept getting faster and you would have to make it across the gym in between beeps. That's one thing I don't miss at all from elementary school, not a very effective way to get kids into the sport.
In middle school I did cross country and track all three years but thought basketball was my calling. 8th grade year went really well and I had a huge PR in the mile running 5:06.
In high school I really enjoyed running but played basketball up until sophomore year. After that I realized I was very talented and wanted to pursue running full-time. Best decision ever...
Q) You've had success in everything from the 1,600 on up to the 5k, what would you say your favorite event is, and why?
That's a tough question because I enjoy running so many races because they play out in such different ways. I really enjoy the focus and aerobic fitness required in the 3200 and 5K but the 1600 is such a fun race with lots of chaos and variability. If I had to pick right now, probably the 5K races in cross country are my favorite and the 3200 on the track is a close 2nd.
Q) You've consistently made big jumps each year - talk about what you've done in the off-season to continue to improve.
The main thing that has allowed me to improve is my coach Mike Callor. He has done so much for me and always has left plenty of room to improve each year. The main goal is always to stay healthy which leads to consistency in the off-season which leads to success during the season. I also have a really good attitude and mental focus to be the best person I can be and go as far as I can with my given talent.
Q) Talk about the leap from finishing third at state last year to finishing 10th at NXR and qualifying for Nationals.
At state last year in cross country I was the most nervous I've ever been before a race. It was the first time I've ever been in a position to win a race that big. It definitely showed in the last mile of the race, I wasted too much energy stressing about it.
At NXR I made it my goal to run free of mind and with nothing to lose. It really paid off and I ran one of the best races of my life and got to experience one of the best days of my life.
Q) The first MileSplit result we have on you is a 15:29 cross country two mile at the St. Vrain Invite in 2013 where you placed 157th - what can you remember about this race? And - talk about the massive jump you've made from then to now.
I remember close to nothing about this race probably because I was staring at the backs of 150 kids in front of me. It also doesn't help that I've run quite a few races there. I can say confidently though I'm sure I was running as hard as my bowlegged legs would allow me (thank god I grew into my massive knees). Every year I've always tried to run within myself and push my body to it's limits which is what running is all about. After doing that for a number of years, the great success just started to flow and it isn't stopping anytime soon.
Q) Could you share any goals you have for the cross country season?
Like I mentioned earlier the main goal is always to stay healthy. I really wanted to leave a legacy at TVHS and enjoy being part of such a competitive class. I look forward to racing Cruz again at state and I'm going to try my hardest to qualify for NXN again in a stacked region.
Q) What would your favorite high school moment be (so far)?
There have been so many memorable moments in my high school career and I feel like it's very easy to say winning a state title or getting the opportunity to run at NXN, but the process and dedication to get there is what I will remember most.
Coming back from a long run and telling coach Callor all about it, spending the countless hours stretching/rolling after practices, the seemingly infinite amount of footsteps during runs, eating habits, the list goes on. These are the components that make those amazing races feel so good, yield great rewards, and open new opportunities.
