What was your most memorable race/moment?
My most memorable race was regionals for track my junior year the only event I made it for was the 4x800. Coming into the race we were like the 10th seed and in the slow heat with an 8:22 team PR. I was the lead off and my PR was 2:05. I ran 60, 59 and handed off in the lead with a 1:59. After this the rest of our team also went off. All four of us PR'd and we ran 8:02, 22 seconds faster than our previous best. Watching the fast heat, the moment we realized that the 8:02 was good enough to place fourth and dog piled on the field was my single greatest moment in running. We went on to place fourth at states.
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
My team has pushed me to incredible heights with our friendly competition, I still like to think I won though.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment was my senior year cross country season as a whole. I came into the season having run 16:55 as a junior and through hard work and dedication to my health and fitness I was able to conclude the year with a 15:43 PR, a 12th place finish in the 3A state meet, and a scholarship to run in college. Oh and I beat Nick Morken.That's pretty high up there too.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in highschool?
I would have shown the dedication that I did for the summer leading up to,and during my senior season all four years I ran.
What were the most difficult problems you had to overcome?
The most difficult obstaces were the injuries for sure. Besides the hit it puts on your training, mentally it is frustrating to know you should be running faster than you are coming off an injury, as well as to be patient as you build back up.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss my coach, Rodney Smith, more than anything. Friends are special, but Coach Smith, besides being an outstanding coach, was like the funny uncle who will make fun of you and crack jokes but the whole time you know he would do anything for any one of his runners and had so much love for anyone who wanted or needed it. This is his last year and it makes me sad that no Stanton runners will get to experience this truly 
amazing man who I love dearly.
amazing man who I love dearly.
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
I would tell them to try. Take running seriously and give it 100%. Lots of people just want to have fun, but it is so much more fun when you are fast, and when you take the running seriously you have more time to have fun afterwards than if you did it slowly.
What are your college plans?
I plan to major in Exercise Science and get a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from UNF where I will also be running.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I would like to say thank you to my family. They have never missed one of my races and will do anything to help me advance my running career while keeping me on the right path, Thanks guys.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Swoop swoop! Go Ospreys!
More Coverage
Do you know a class of 2014 track and field or cross country athlete? We'd like to salute them! Have them answer the following questions plus send 2-3 photos (can not be from another website or publication) to Todd.Grasley@flocasts.com.
