University of Tennessee freshman Paul Cross is on fire. The former South Plantation high school 1600 meter state champ is fresh off his SEC title and rolls into Mideast Region this weekend as the #3 800-meter runner in the country. But, Cross is well aware that yesterday's achievements mean little now. His consistency shows no signs of abdicating from his ranking. In a short period of time, he quickly acclimated to Knoxville, but has already learned what collegiate competition demands. "You've always got to come with a game plan. In high school there were times when I could coast, but everyone runs 1:49 or faster here," added the down to earth freshman.
The SEC conference could be a tabbed as a version of a pre-nationals of sorts, where sprints and middle distances thrive, but the SEC track stock as a whole is showing no signs of plummeting. His 1:46.60 800-meter time fits in well with his teammates. He has quickly learned from experienced middle distance runners like Marc Sylvester and Frank Francois. The fall was a brutal, but worthwhile experience. He ran two cross country races, but the five mile cross country world was a whole new picture. Gone were the days of glory in three mile races. "As much as I don't like to admit it, it paid off big time. I'm feeling really strong right now," said Cross of the season.
Cross speaks with the utmost confidence, and his Coach George Watts realized early on he was prized recruit. After throwing a paper wad in class as a freshman in high school, Cross earned himself an afternoon detention running laps. The track coach took notice and before long he was running legs on the 4 x800 and 4 x400 meter relays. His first try at 800 – a 1:58! Not many runners run 1:58 on their first ever stab at the 800, but he even improved substantially to 1:52 by the end of the year. He's taken six seconds off since, and aims for more. Paul feels Tennessee provides him with the brotherhood needed to reach his ultimate success. But, having good brothers is a result of a good father figure. Like an obedient child who takes instructions from his parents, Cross takes the words of Coach Watts to heart. His natural ability is remarkable, but his biggest strength seems to be his willingness and eagerness to listen to the guidance of his coach.
This would seem to be an allusion for even the most fabulous freshman embarking on the collegiate seen. Cross knew he could run in the front tier. "I thought I would be running this well. I knew I could have run faster in high school, but I didn't put it together at the right time," said the freshman who's reaching new heights this spring.
The SEC conference meet was a monumental day for Cross. The lanky newcomer followed in hot pursuit the footsteps of Sylvester in second through a blistering, yet comfortable 51 and change opening lap. After the first 400, Cross was tripped up three times, but held the composure. "I didn't fret," said Cross of the situation. With 200 he passed Arkansas's James Hatch, and was going after the win. In the final 150, he gained ground and edged out Auburn's Sherridan Kirk for the victory at the line. Cross had won a conference title as a freshman in the nation's most rigid middle-distance breeding ground. This same race produced many of the top times in the country thus far this season.
Cross was targeted by the likes of Kentucky, Villanova, and Texas, but something about Tennessee was the best fit. "I liked Coach Watts and the middle distance program. Everyone gets along," added Cross. Watts focuses their training on race pace all the time. "We just run to get the pace and get acclimated to it,"commented Paul on their speeding training. Many times they are given precise instructions to run the workouts individually.
He's already seen the guys he will battle for a win at Nationals with at SEC's and at LSU at the Mideast Regional. Besides his SEC foes in the Mideast is Michigan sophomore Andrew Ellerton, who holds a season best of 1:46.56, but is overshadowed by his teammates Nick Willis and Nate Brannen, who are both redshirting the outdoor campaign. Cross is attempting to keep a sport, which sometimes becomes mind boggling, simple. "I want to stay healthy and stay focused. I have to keep my sights on the ultimate goal," said Cross. His answer probed the question, what is the ultimate goal? "Trying to win Nationals," added the driven young man.
Cross isn't satisfied with being a conference champ. "I have to remember everyday not to be satisfied. I want to be the best the 800," concluded the freshman.