Salute To Seniors: Dillon Hodge - Pedro Menendez
What was your most memorable race?
My first cross-country race in high school. It rained so hard all night and into the morning in New Orleans,Louisiana and I was the only one from my school to race there. We went over to the course thinking there is no way this race takes place.With it still pouring we pass through the gates and the womens teams(college) were on the line standing in what look like a pond up to there shins. I ran my slowest time ever over this lake of a course and finished 8th. Welcome to cross-country.
What would you consider your biggest competition?
Cross country districts my junior year and I was really coming on late in the year and was running against Jimmy Clark of Creekside.He was good and made it look easy.He won by almost 30 seconds with me coming in 2nd.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments which stands out the most?
Winning a state championship my sophomore year in Alabama in the 3200m and my last race running a personal best in the 800 at state. I dropped five seconds off my 800 time in my last two weeks of my career.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
Went to school here in Florida for all four years.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Nagging injuries. I missed all of my summer training for cross country going into my senior year cause of a turf toe. I still made it to the season in less than ideal shape. Another was missing all but one track race my sophomore season due to a strained left knee and still coming back to win state with only one meet under my belt
What will you miss the most?
The excellent coverage we get here in Florida for cross country and track.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Be prepared for both running seasons and never go all out in practice just in the races.
What are your college plans?
I plan to go to Flagler College(D2) to run for Coach Brian Beil.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
To my freshman coach who believed in me from day one Kristin Countryman at Ashville High School in Alabama.To my coaches at Menendez, Jones,Persinger,McC
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Want to be featured in our Salute To Seniors series? Drop me a line: TGrasley@milesplit.com and answer the questions above! Congratulations to the class of 2012 on all their hard work and success.