Junior Ari Cogdell is easy to spot on the track, rocking his traditional headband, and putting up blazing fast times. The American High School standout recorded the US#1 time in the 400 meters, 46.69, at the 4A Region 4 Championship, and was a key "cog" in the Patriots runner-up finish. Cogdell was also a member of the team's nationally ranked 4x800 and 4x400 meter relays. We caught up with him to talk about his start in track and field, the regional championship, and the future for him and his teammates at this week's state championships.
How did you get started in track and field?
I started with the Miramar Optimist program back in second grade back when Miramar High School had a concrete track.
Do you remember your first race?
My first race was at Moore Park by Jackson High School. I remember running in Reebok spikes and only doing the 4x100 and 800. I remember everything being bunched up.
American High School doesn't have a home track. That really has to be an inconvienence right?
Honestly we're accustomed to it. 
We practice from our school's weight room, Dade Christian High School, or Betty T. Ferguson Park like once a week .We have no excuses because what we do have are great coaches and great mentalities. Theonly problem is to try to gather techniques in all our events from high jump, triple jump to learning the drive phase, and baton exchanges.
We practice from our school's weight room, Dade Christian High School, or Betty T. Ferguson Park like once a week .We have no excuses because what we do have are great coaches and great mentalities. Theonly problem is to try to gather techniques in all our events from high jump, triple jump to learning the drive phase, and baton exchanges.
What is a typical practice like?
A typical day of practice at American High consists of a 400m jog 400m skip around our baseball field then we advance to warmups and the start of our workout.
At the 4A Region 4 Championship you and your teammates had a monster day. You kicked off the meet with a FL#1 and US#6 time of 7:44.64 in the 4x800 where you ran second leg. What was the plan going into that race?
The game plan was to really go out and just run because we hadn't run our true 4x800m team until then. That really set the tone of the day off perfectly because after the race I felt fine, everything went smoothly, and everyon set a new personal best.
At the 4A Region 4 Championship you and your teammates had a monster day. You kicked off the meet with a FL#1 and US#6 time of 7:44.64 in the 4x800 where you ran second leg. What was the plan going into that race?
The game plan was to really go out and just run because we hadn't run our true 4x800m team until then. That really set the tone of the day off perfectly because after the race I felt fine, everything went smoothly, and everyon set a new personal best.
A lot of the guys on that 4x800 relay team are also teammates from your Miami Gardens Xpress club team. How does that familiarty with each other help you?
We all ran with each other on our club team. Dawun Hylton, Yohaunce Haynes, Shammond Williams, and Justin Brown. We used to always break records with each other in AAU track with the Miami Gardens XPress.
In the 400 you go 46.67 which is the top time in the country. You told me you didn't think you had it in you to go below 47. Did that open your eyes to what you could do and how did Rasheed Tatham (US#2) push you in that race?
Yes it did open my eyes for the future because I was expecting to hit 46 in the summer, but now its 45. 
The race was exciting with Jabari, Rasheed, and my teammate Shammond. 130 meters he was in the lead and I had to hit an extra gear to the end of the race. After the race I told congratulated Rasheed. We were both surprised on how we both drastically dropped our time
The race was exciting with Jabari, Rasheed, and my teammate Shammond. 130 meters he was in the lead and I had to hit an extra gear to the end of the race. After the race I told congratulated Rasheed. We were both surprised on how we both drastically dropped our time
Then you close out the meet with a lead off leg in the 4x400m relay which clocked a US#5 time of 3:14.25. How would you sum up that race?
Honestly we can go faster. We're trying to hit 3:12 or better at state trying to finish number one in in the nation. We will try to go even faster in the summer at New Balance Nationals.
Honestly we can go faster. We're trying to hit 3:12 or better at state trying to finish number one in in the nation. We will try to go even faster in the summer at New Balance Nationals.
You had a hand in 30 pts as American finished runner-up behind St. Thomas Aquinas. Was this one of the best meets of your young high school career?
This was at the top of the list of my best races ever; EASILY. The equation was there U just had to solve it. Regionals were a huge success and put us on a national scale.
Despite having no home track the results your team is producing are quite incredible.
Yeah, actually it seems were were holding back but that's how my coach intended the workouts to be. He wanted us to peak around regionals meet. We dont believe in monster times at invitationals so we can preserve our bodies to last through the season.
What kind of impact have your head coach Enrico Knowles and the assistant coaches have had on the team?
Our coaches have a huge impact on us. They are big on going over the scientific approach to the workouts. He doesnt just throw workouts at us. He actually explains the physiology of it. The addition of innovative workouts holds us to collegiate and proffesional standards. He'll make us abide by the times we need to reach collegiate paces.
Do you guys feel like you don't get the love of a Miami Northwestern, Booker T. Washington, or St. Thomas Aquinas?
We don't feel like we get the love or respect that they do. As a track team.when they see American they think American Heritage. When they see Patriots they think Miramar Patriots. IT DOES MOTIVATE US TO THE FULLEST. When they think of the Florida powerhouses they automatically think of BTW, MNW, & AQUINAS. Now it's time for the AMERICAN PATRIOTS to reign supreme.
What are the goals for the state meet on Saturday?
What are the goals for the state meet on Saturday?
My goals for state are to start off the day with a 7:42 or better in the 4x8. Then in the 400 run a 46.4 or better and end the night with a 3:12 going for the state record. The goal as a team is to try to win state, but it will be a battle between us St. Thomas Aquinas, and Dr. Phillips.
