Charlotte senior Marshall Dillon who boasts personal bests of 1:54.28 (800m), 4:16.18 (1,600m), and 15:54.20 (XC) has followed in the footsteps of former Tarpon teammates Tyler Cardillo and Ryan Schnulle and selected the University of Florida to continue his college running career. We caught up with Dillon to talk about the decision and his postseason plans before he heads off to Gainesville.
Flrunners.com: What was the recruiting process like for you?
Marshall Dillon: The recruiting process was actually much more relaxed than I was expecting. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed the privilege of being recruited that my hard work had brought me. It has been a lot of fun.
FLR: Where all did you visit/consider?
MD: I only visited UF, but I definitely considered FSU, Alabama, UNF, and University of Texas San Antonio.
FLR: When did you actually sign and what made you wait so long to announce?
MD: I will not be signing a National Letter of Intent since I am in a very unique situation being a recruited walk on. In this case I get all the advantages of a scholarship athlete (tutors, gear, lockers, etc.) I just have to pay for my freshman year finances. I guess I waited until now to announce it because I just wanted to weigh all my options and make sure I was getting the most out of my choices.
FLR: What sold you on the University of Florida?
MD: I am sold on the ideology of progression and success. Both qualities I find in the University of Florida. I'm just so ready to get to my absolute peak and have fun doing it! I can do these things at UF! That is what sold me.
FLR: The recruiting class they are bringing in with guys like Grant Holloway, the Lyles brothers, Justin Pacifico, etc. is very impressive. Have you had a chance to talk to any of your future Gator teammates?
MD: Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to reach out to many of them yet, but I am getting pretty tight with Justin, and we are both in the same boat when it comes to being surrounded by top tier athletes and we are both just so excited to leave everything on the table for the good of the team. I can't wait to be a part of something that I feel like is going to be very special!
FLR: You've run everything distance wise from the 800-5k. I know you like track more. Do you plan on doing both in Gainesville?
MD: I will be running cross country with great teammates like Carlos Miranda, Jack Guyton, Blake Lowery, Dominic Williams, and Jesse Millson, and so much more. I can't wait to up the intensity and see where my training will take me in cross country. Track will be fun too, but I am going to take it one season at a time my first year, and that starts with cross-country!
FLR: You've seen the success Tyler Cardillo had while he was there in his short time and Ryan Schnulle as well in his four years. How much of a factor did that play and what did those guys tell you about UF?
MD: Those athletes that went through the same program I did in high school, had enormous success in college. That gives me a lot of confidence, especially when unlike them in high school, I had no "other guy" or in there case, "4 guys" to train with. This is probably why I am so pumped to have as elite teammates as one could ask for. It will be a great change. They talked to me about how awesome the experience is and to really take advantage of the opportunity!
FLR: Now that the decision is behind you how relieved are you?
MD: I'm very relieved and excited!
FLR: I know you mentioned to me after the state meet that it wasn't how you wanted to end your senior year. How have you stayed focused on the postseason and not let that day get to you?
MD: At my state meet I was very sick for the second year in a row. I was on an antibiotic and because of that, I felt week and couldn't get my best effort out of myself. It stings really bad to go out my senior year like that, but now that I am healthy and ready to go I think Flo Golden south will go very well and I'm looking forward to this race and New Balance Nationals in June. I have just been really hitting my speed and intervals hard since I got the antibiotics out of my system and I think I will be ready to run as fast as I can!
FLR: What specifically have you been doing to prepare?
MD: Workouts like 2x2x500m in 60 flat quarter pace, and 16x400 with 1 to 1 ratio rest have been taxing my lactic and endurance systems and really prepping me for my last month of my season. PR's would be nice these last few weeks of competition, but I really just want to give my best effort and leave it all out there!
FLR: What are your goals for Flo Golden South this Saturday?
MD: I am entered in both the mile and 800 at Flo Golden South, and I will decide probably day of which one I will run. There is going to be unbelievable competition in both with Justin in the 800 and a slew of sub 4:15 milers, plus a 4:04 kid! I will be ready for either race though no matter what.
MD: I am entered in both the mile and 800 at Flo Golden South, and I will decide probably day of which one I will run. There is going to be unbelievable competition in both with Justin in the 800 and a slew of sub 4:15 milers, plus a 4:04 kid! I will be ready for either race though no matter what.
FLR: To cap off your high school career with a ticket to the Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle would be extra sweet as well right?
MD: To get the Brooks PR ticket would be fun mainly because it'll mean that I ran really fast. If am fortunate enough to put myself in a position to win with a lap to go or 200 meters to go I'm going to give it my all! It should be a blast!
Personal Records
- 800m (in) - 2:02.10
- 800m - 1:54.28
- 1600m - 4:16.18
- 1 Mile (in) - 4:21.41
- 3000m (in) - 9:19.61
- 3200m - 9:30.94
- 5K (xc) - 15:54.20
