Fort Myers junior Tyler Bennett had a breakout cross country season placing second at the class 3A state finals and leading his team to a 3rd place finish. Tyler ran a season best 16:21.58 last year and lowered his PR to a 15:22.00 this year at Footlocker South where finished 20th. Find out what drives Tyler to work his hardest every day and become the best he can be, plus much more!
How were you introduced to running?
I started running here and there around 3rd grade with one of my dad’s patients. I heard about local 5k races and I was very interested in competing in them. The man would run them with me as my pacer. My first race was the Edison Festival of Light.
What were your goals coming into this season?
I had some big goals coming into the 2012 cross country season. My main goal was to break sixteen and then go for mid fifteens if I achieved that. I also wanted to get top ten at the state meet and do my part on this team as a leader by running hard, placing high and helping my teammates do their best also. I feel I achieved these goals better than I expected and finished under that mid 15 mark.
You finished second at state. What does that performance mean to you?
States was an amazing and exhilarating experience this year. My goal right before states was top four and I was very confident in that. I went out at a 4:38 mile leading by the first 600 to 800 meters before the turn to the downhill. I was feeling really strong and had a comfortable 15-meter lead on the pack behind me. A couple of runners caught me right before the two mile and then I made a move up the small incline. 500 meters to go the runner who got first (Thomas Howell) caught me and flew by. I couldn't get my legs to go so I held off for second. Runner up is special to me and yes it would have been nice to win, but I have another year. All of us in the top three will be back again for another battle next year.
What did it take to perform the way you did this year?
I had an outstanding cross country season and I doubt very many people could have predicted how well I did. Day in and day out it took so much dedication, hard work, determination, inspiration, toughness, strength, and the right mindset to make it to the top. I'm surrounded by inspiration each day. My coach, family, teammates, friends and videos of Prefontaine that one of my fellow greenies are obsessed with. When i see my teammates in pain from a workout, it helps me work harder cause I know as one of the leaders I have to do my part as well.
Who do you look up to for inspiration?
My teammate Ace Brown.We were next to each other in every workout, easy run, bridge run, and long run. We pushed each other to our limits and that has helped him and me more than anything. Since he's a senior, I have track left with him, but next year it is going to be hard to see him go.
What are your goals for this track season?
As track season inches closer and closer, I'm getting more excited and pumped each day. I have been waiting to compete in the two mile for along time now and I loved that race last year. I would like to run 9:15/ 9:20 and qualify for states and finish in the top three. I would also like to run around 4:25 for the mile which I'm pretty close to. I ran a 4:32 in a time trial before states.
How is the college recruiting process and what schools are you interested in?
My recruiting process has been going fairly well so far. Since I am a junior, I am only getting recruiting forms and a few emails from main schools like University of Florida, Florida State and Iowa. I am extremely interested in UF and FSU and have briefly spoken to some schools.
Personal Bests
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1,500 Meter Run5:03.46
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1,600 Meter Run4:43.14
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3200 Meter Run9:48.98
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5,000 Meter Run15:22.00
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