Junior, Belen Jesuit – 5th place at Foot Locker Regional
On the course and hill work: “I have been doing work but instead of hills it’s been bridges down by the Keys and we have one pretty big hill over by Tropical Park.”
What are your strategies for the course and the race? “My strategy right now is to go out and stay with the front pack but if I feel that their pace is too fast I might lay off a little to conserve energy later on. I know that from a race of this caliber that not many people are going to fall back but I do know that everyone is going to be nervous and that could affect some of the runners. As for me I’m going to be checking with my coach to see the splits he wants me to hit and where to go hard, he’s always pretty good at that.”
On the prestige of the event: “It’s a great honor to be a part of this race and to run with some of the best in the nation, all this training for months has finally paid off and I can’t be happier to run over in Cali.”
What is your goal as far as place? “It would be amazing if I could break into the top 10 and be up there with the best, that’s what I’m shooting for. To be a national champion, that would be the ultimate goal for me, but it’s not going to be easy with all the competition.”
How excited are you to be going to San Diego and also having a chance to bond with some of the top runners in the country? “I’ve never been to San Diego. What I’m looking forward to the most is the experience of it all and meeting all the other top runners from the rest of the nation. It’s going to be great and sounds like it’s all going to be a lot of fun being with other runners like myself.”
More About Elliot
Elliot's Athlete Profile
Foot Locker Bio
Interview after Foot Locker South
Interview after 2nd Place at 3A State Meet
