The 2014-2015 school year has provided some great highlights in both cross country and track across the Sunshine State. In the coming weeks many of our seniors will head out to start their college careers both athletically and academically. We wanted to salute them one more time in this special feature and say thank you for your support over the years.
What was your most memorable race/moment?
My most memorable moment of my entire high school career had to be on my last day of competing at the 3A state meet in the 4x800. We broke a school record (7:53.47) and placed second behind a phenomenal Boyd Anderson squad. It was just a great way to enjoy one of my last races with 3 of my closest teammates.
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
So many great runners have come and gone in my four years of running such as the likes of David Yarborough, Noah Kemp, Jon Weaver, and so many other runners from Jacksonville but I think my biggest competition over the entire four year time span would be Ryan Aponte from Saint Augustine. A large majority of my races on the track I would out lean him or vice versa and on the cross country course we always finished within 5-10 seconds of each other. I consider him my biggest competition for sure because of how much he pushed my to better myself as a runner.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment was finishing 9th in the 3A state cross country meet just because I don't consider myself as good at long distances as I am on the track so being top 10 in the state was a big deal for me.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
I'm gonna just go with the cliche answer here and say nothing. It really was just such an amazing experience and I don't think I would've had it any other way. So many great memories with teammates, becoming mentally stronger because of injuries, and just everything about it was so perfect.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
For sure my mentality. I always wanted to be in front and if I wasn't it usually turned into me blowing up and having a terrible race, so that was definitely something I had to overcome so I wouldn't drop 20 points for the team in cross country. It took me a while but I finally overcame it and it definitely helped me individually as well as the team in all races.
What will you miss the most?
All my teammates from runners I was with for four years like Zack Bias, and Connor McClure all the way down to all the new incoming guys. It has been a pleasure training with them and it is going to be tough not waking up to their tired faces every morning to train with. These boys have been so influential in how I act and carry myself and I couldn't thank them enough and I am excited to see what the hoodrat nation can do in the coming years. They're going to do some big things!
What advice you would give to younger athletes?
As competitive as this sport can be and as competitive as I made it myself. Never forget why you run....FOR FUN! Don't make it all about winning and beating another person because then you will psych yourself out and start to enjoy the sport less and less. Just remember that you're running for the love of running and to have fun with every step you take and if you do that you will be a much better and happier athlete.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
Coach Frank has done so much for me not just as an athlete but as a person and there really is no way to thank him enough. He is one of the most inspiring and influential people in my life in every aspect and it'll be tough not talking to him every day. He is one of the greatest men you will ever meet.
What are your college plans?
I will be attending the University of South Florida in the fall on an athletic scholarship to compete for track and cross country.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I have to give all the glory to God because I have been blessed enough with so many opportunities and also the ability to be the runner I am. Also, I would like to thank my parents and brother for being so supportive throughout my career, my coaches who have all been there for me and helped better me as a runner, all of my teammates who pushed me and made me truly enjoy being out there every day, and all of my friends who supported me and would come out to seven hour track meets just to watch me compete.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
GO BULLS!
Seniors, don't be left out! Submit your Salute to Seniors answers to Todd.Grasley@flosports.tv and be featured on the site!