Four of the top distance runners from the 2007-2008 Cross Country and Track seasons came from the class of 2010. In their first two years of high school, these young men have amassed a gaudy amount of medals. Combined, they have captured five individual state championships, one state runner up, seven top five state performances, six regional titles, ten district titles, multiple conference championships, one CC state course record, a top ten finish at the NON freshman mile, Footlocker South Freshman Champ, two team CC titles, multiple school records, as well as numerous other honors including Runner of the Year accolades. Brian Atkinson (Melbourne High), Matt Mizereck (Leon), Erick Montoya (Estero High) and Michael Wallace (Bishop Kenny) are four of the top five seeds in the entire state for the upcoming Cross Country season and for track are the top returnees in the 3200m, while several also look to contend for 1600m titles. I interviewed each of these superstars so we could get a little insight into the mind of a champion, as well as their similarities and their differences.
Cross Country or Track
Brian Atkinson Cross Country. The team aspect and the longer distance make it way better.
Matt Mizereck Cross Country.
Erick Montoya Track. The crowd always has their eyes on you. I like knowing people can cheer you on the whole race. It gives me more adrenaline.
Michael Wallace Track. Because I can compare my times to everyone.
Individual Championship or Team Championship
Atkinson Team. I have been fortunate to experience both, and the team championship is much sweeter. Celebrating with the guys is something I will never forget.
Mizereck Team Championship.
Montoya Winning a championship by yourself is always nice, but I think getting a team championship is better. You get to share the joy.
Wallace Team Championship. I can celebrate with my team mates and everyone is happy.
Mile Repeats or Fast 400s
Atkinson Mile Repeats! I hate all that short garbage! That being said, I realize it is important to do it anyways.
Mizereck Mile Repeats.
Montoya Mile Repeats, they work on endurance and speed at the same time. Plus, the longer the distance the better!
Wallace Mile Repeats. I prefer longer workouts over speed work.
Olympic Gold or World Record
Atkinson That’s a tough one, but I think the World Record. Being the biggest fish ever to live, even if it were just for a short while, would be awesome.
Mizereck Olympic Gold.
Montoya I would definitely take the World Record over winning an Olympic Gold. I think having the fastest time out of the whole world would be a great accomplishment. You could win an Olympic Gold, but not have a good time.
Wallace World Record. More people look at who has the world record rather than who won the gold.
Front Running or Sit and Kick
Atkinson I wish I could sit and kick, but I don’t have that kind of speed. So, I guess I will go with Front Running.
Mizereck Sit and Kick.
Montoya Sit and Kick, unless I think the pace is off my target.
Wallace Sit and Kick. It is easier and more exciting.
Run with Music or Run without music
Atkinson Without. I hate the chords, and I think it takes away from the peacefulness of the run.
Mizereck Run with music.
Montoya Run without music. I like to brain train and focus on my body mechanics.
Wallace Run without music. My mind can run free, and I won’t get hit by a car.
Ryan Hall or Brian Sell
Atkinson Ryan Hall! He’s awesome. American distance’s greatest hope for a medal. Brian Sell’s cool too though.
Mizereck Don’t really know enough about them to choose.
Montoya Ryan Hall.
Wallace Ryan Hall because he is faster, but Sell has a nice mustache.
One long run or Two Shorter Runs in same day
Atkinson One long run. I love long runs.
Mizereck One long run.
Montoya One long run because the longer the distance, the more creativity and tactics I start to bring out while I am running.
Wallace One long run because I get it over with.
Snow Skiing or Water Skiing
Atkinson Snow skiing. I love the mountains.
Mizereck Water Skiing.
Montoya Since you do not have much of a choice living in Florida, I will pick Water Skiing.
Wallace Water Skiing. I can’t do either, but I would rather be in the water.
Guitar Hero or Wii
Atkinson ROCK BAND!
Mizereck Guitar Hero
Montoya Guitar Hero
Wallace Wii. I am horrible at Guitar Hero.
Beach or Mountains
Atkinson Mountains.
Mizereck Mountains.
Montoya Mountains. I loved training in Colombia.
Wallace The beach. There are more things to do at the beach.
Something interesting that others may not know about you:
Mizereck I first started running (for sport) during track season in 8th grade. I ran a 5:20 my first mile race.
Montoya I love anything that involves JROTC, especially shooting rifles.
Wallace I am a ping pong master and I jam on the ukulele.
If you had the opportunity to meet anyone either deceased or alive, who would you meet and why?
Atkinson Probably the Apostle Paul. He’s got some great stories written down, and I bet he has many others we don’t know about! He is a man of great faith, and his faith would surely increase mine.
Mizereck Of course Steve Prefontaine because I would like to talk to him about running and be with a truly amazing runner.
Montoya Bill Bowerman, the creator of Nike and coach of Steve Prefontaine, America’s greatest running legend.
Wallace Bob Marley, I would listen to him talk about his outlook on life. Then, he would sing me a song.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not running?
Atkinson Playing HALO 3 and other Xbox 360 games, hangin’ out with friends, and going to movies and the occasional trip to the beach.
Mizereck Basketball, even though my coach disapproves of it.
Montoya Hanging out with my friends, shooting my rifle, playing sports outside, reading a good book once in a while, and eating.
Wallace Ping Pong, surfing, and hanging out with friends.