We continue our series of interviews to honor the members of our All-Decade Team. Today we feature Jeremy Criscione, whose illustrious career on the high school scene was continued through his college career at UF.
JEREMY FACTS...
- Graduated from Interlachen High School in 2005
- High School PRs: 9:02.21 3200 (9:05.37 2 Mile), 4:17.78 1600 (4:19.28 Mile), 15:02 XC 5K
- Wraps up his running career with the University of Florida this spring (2010), he has a fantastic career with the Gators.
- 20th at NCAA D1 XC Nationals in 2008 with a time of 29:58 (10K)
- 23:35 8K PR for the Gators
- 14:11 Indoor 5K in early 2009
Complete list of the flrunners.com All-Decade Team...
-----------------
- Jason Byrne, flrunners.com When you reflect back on your high school career what are you most proud of?
- Jeremy Criscione Looking back, I would have to say that winning the 2004 2A state cross country meet was the best and most memorable moment of my high school running career. That season got off to a really rocky start with my high school coach passing away and all of the hurricanes coming through and delaying the start of the season for our team. A couple months before my coach passed, he told me that I was going to win the state meet that year. To come out on top and to be able to do what he had so much confidence in me doing was an amazing feeling.
- JB Who or what things made the biggest impacts on your success?
- JC My coach (Coach Cox) played a huge role in my success. He was a great coach and also a great friend. He really emphasized that we be outstanding people as well as trying to be accomplished runners. Also, my parents supported me through everything good and bad. Knowing that I had their support was very reassuring. Lastly, Enoch Nadler played a big role in my success. We began training together after my freshman year and after Coach Cox passed away, he began helping me with my training.
- JB Who were some of the athletes you remember that you loved competing against?
- JC When I think about athletes that I loved competing against, the ones that come to mind are Andy Biladeau, Brian Sharkey, Eddie Arguello, Enoch Nadler, and Chris Mullaney. The 2A classification was very competitive and it was always fun to run against them all because you could always assure that there was going to be a good battle.
- JB Besides a particular athletic accomplishment, what are some of your best memories from high school athletics?
- JC I really enjoyed being able to travel to some of the places that I competed. The ones that stand out are Arcadia, Foot Locker South, Jessie Owens Classic and the State Meets.
- JB What are you doing now as far as career, competing, family?
- JC I will be attending my first year of graduate school at the University of Florida this fall, where I will also complete my final seasons of eligibility in indoor and outdoor track. I also just recently got married to my wonderful wife Bessie this past march. She is a high school cross country and track coach at Dunnellon High School. It’s very enjoyable to be able to see how much she positively influences her athlete’s lives.
- JB What advice would you give to today's high school athletes?
- JC Really try to enjoy your time as a high school athlete. You don’t realize how quickly it goes until you are finished and moving on to the next chapter in your life. I always look back and think about how much fun it was and how I loved competing in the state of Florida. We have a great running community that is very supportive. So, work hard, be humble, and make Florida proud.