In his first two years in high school at Timber Creek, Brandon Marquez finished as the 4A runner-up and in third place at the Cross Country Finals. As a junior and senior he competed unattached, but that didn't slow him down. Marquez just missed out on a spot at Foot Locker Nationals placing 11th in the South Regional as a junior, and was in the top five with 4k to go before dropping out of this year's race. He owns personal bests of 1:58.40 (800), 4:15.54 (1,600m), and 15:08.51 for 5k. Marquez admits his high school running career has been a roller coaster with impressive times and near misses. However, he says he wouldn't change what he's been through. Recently, Marquez announced that he will continue his running career at Columbia University in New York. We caught up with him to talk about the decision.
FLRunners.com: What has the recruiting process been like for you?
Brandon Marquez: It was a positive experience. I enjoyed being able to talk to great coaches and have the chance to visit great universities and teams. The most stressful part is making a decision, but when I knew where my heart and my head were it was nothing short of perfect to make it final.
FLR: The last two years arguably the most important of one's recruitment, you ran unattached. What was that time frame like for you?
BM: It was tough. I won't lie. My main priority throughout the process was to get back to being a healthy runner and not ignoring my body and working myself into injury after injury like I had been early in high school. I think I accomplished that goal perfectly by staying healthy since. The tough part was finding a rhythm throughout a season. Races weekly or biweekly at the high school level really help most runners get into a rhythm for the season, especially by the championship meets. Missing out on that, especially big mid-season invitationals to prep for the end of season ones, was tougher physically and mentally on me than anything else. Though, I made sure to stay focused and continue to work hard, and ultimately my fitness and times did improve through those two years.
Brandon Marquez: It was a positive experience. I enjoyed being able to talk to great coaches and have the chance to visit great universities and teams. The most stressful part is making a decision, but when I knew where my heart and my head were it was nothing short of perfect to make it final.
FLR: The last two years arguably the most important of one's recruitment, you ran unattached. What was that time frame like for you?
BM: It was tough. I won't lie. My main priority throughout the process was to get back to being a healthy runner and not ignoring my body and working myself into injury after injury like I had been early in high school. I think I accomplished that goal perfectly by staying healthy since. The tough part was finding a rhythm throughout a season. Races weekly or biweekly at the high school level really help most runners get into a rhythm for the season, especially by the championship meets. Missing out on that, especially big mid-season invitationals to prep for the end of season ones, was tougher physically and mentally on me than anything else. Though, I made sure to stay focused and continue to work hard, and ultimately my fitness and times did improve through those two years.
FLR: Was it hard to compete in select meets while your peers were running every week or did you look at that as an opportunity to focus solely on training and less on racing?
BM: I think there's positives and negatives in either situation but I made the best out of the path I chose.
FLR: Where all did you consider/visit?
BM: I looked at several Ivies and in-state.
FLR: What sold you on Columbia?
BM: My visit in September blew me away. Coach Ireland and Coach Chenoweth make an outstanding coaching staff and to see how much they've accomplished already since they arrived at Columbia is a testament to their coaching and makes me very excited to be under their tutelage the next four years. The team is tight-knit in and out of training and were very welcoming and cool to hang around with during my visit, which made it clear to me that this was the environment I really wanted to work hard for. Finally, the academics at Columbia sealed the deal for me. While I've always worked hard to be a good runner, it's been just as important to me to work hard to be a good student and learner as well, and I'm glad my education can continue at such a world-class university.
FLR: As someone who hasn't ran on a team in two years what are you looking forward to most about having athletes that are on your level or maybe even better to practice with on a consistent basis?
BM: Man, I miss the team atmosphere. It fosters a very supportive environment. In middle school or high school, even if I was leading way ahead of workouts, it was nice to have some of my best friends (still to this day) behind me to keep me honest and pushing along, or even on race day when there was a greater entity I was running for. Definitely I'm looking forward to running with teammates on a daily basis who have ran much faster times than I've ran. It's going to be a challenge, but ultimately a healthy one where the team improves when everyone's working hard, and is that much more rewarding when the team's goal is reached.
FLR: What are the goals at the next level?
BM: To work my tail off for the good of the team. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to help contribute to more Heps titles or strong national showings.
FLR: Now, that this is behind you what are the plans for the spring? Any races, or just kind of prepare for college?
BM: I'm determined to end high school on a high (and fast) note, so here's hoping for another healthy season with nice results to show for it.
FLR: How would you sum up your high school career and the last four years? You were state runner-up in cross country and also finished third. You were 11th at Foot Locker South as a junior just missing out on San Diego. Then this past season you were in the hunt (top five through 4k) at Foot Locker South and end up DNF.
BM: A roller coaster experience, but I'm thankful. I'm so thankful to have had the support through the best times and the worst times from my family, friends, and many in the running community. I'm by far my toughest critic, so knowing some of my goals went unaccomplished stings me because as much as I represent myself, I go out to represent those who've helped me tremendously as well as I can. But, I love the sport too much to not wake up the next day and work harder if I know there's more I can do. So I'm looking forward to finishing fast in my last season in high school and the next four years at Columbia!
FLR: Finish this sentence. Brandon Marquez is ________.
BM: Brandon Marquez is excited, thankful, determined, and ready for a 10k!
Personal Records
- 800m - 1:58.40
- 1500m - 3:55.40
- 1600m - 4:15.54
- 3000m - 8:39.99
- 3200m - 9:33.33
- 5K (xc) - 15:08.51
