Former Leon standout Matt Mizereck competed in the Foot Locker South Regional all four years of his his high school career. He ran 14:51 at the 2009 Foot Locker South Regional to finish fourth a year after finishing one spot out in 11th in 2008. As a senior, Mizereck would finish 10th out of the 40 top runners at Foot Locker Nationals in San Diego. We caught up with him to talk about those races, his college career, and what he is up to these days.
Flrunners.com: What do you remember most about your time running Foot Locker South?
Matt Mizereck: I competed all four years. First, I ran the freshman race and placed fourth I believe. Sophomore year I did the seeded race, but did bad like 17:30. My junior year I placed 11th just missing the last spot to nationals by a place. Then my senior year I finished 4th and moved on to place 10th at nationals. I remember most how different the atmosphere is. Looking at the race competition knowing so many people had a chance to get onto the national team, I knew I had to bring the best that I got or I'll be swallowed up by the large crowd.
FLR: As someone who has run this race four times, what advice would you give to athletes competing on Saturday?
MM: My advice would be to run your race, but plan on going out a little faster than you are use to because most of your placement is going to be decided how far up or back you are in the crowd by the mile and a half point. The last mile is not going to be the best time to make up ground because it's so strung out. Also, get to the edge of the course as soon as you can. It's the easiest way to move up through the pack once inside the woods.
FLR: Your college career was kind of up and down. Talk about what happened after you gradated from Leon High School.
MM: I went to college at UF for three years, transferred, and spent a year at FSU. My freshman year was great with amazing freshman times, but half way through sophomore year I suffered from a stress fracture late during the Indoor season. It took me until I transferred to FSU, after training in Boulder, CO for a summer with the Buffs and changing my lifestyle, before I got back to being a top spot runner for my university. Unfortunately, my career was stopped short before I could compete in my last two years of eligibility in both track seasons.
FLR: What are you up to these days?
MM: I graduated with a degree in social sciences with a focus on anthropology this summer. Now, I'm working at a local running shop in my home town of Tallahassee called Capital City Runners and training again on the side after taking a year or so off. I'm sure you will start seeing me racing a lot more by next cross country season.
