1) When did you get your start in running? What other sports did you play? What were some of your personal records heading into high school?
I got my start in running in the fifth grade. Through the first half of the season, I thought I was a sprinter and ended up being the back-up for the 4x100 relay. All of the runners were there at one meet so I wouldn't be able to run, so I asked my coach if I could just do the mile instead, and he thought I was crazy, but I ended up doing it and doing pretty well for the first time. Ever since then, I've been a distance runner. As of 8th grade, my personal bests were 5:07 in the mile, 2:20 in the 880, and 60 in the 440. Through middle school I played soccer, basketball, and flag football. I was planning on playing basketball in high school but I decided to focus on running.
2) Looking back at your first three years of high school in both sports, what have been some of your proudest accomplishments and achievements?
In my high school career, my proudest XC accomplishment has been my 5th place at state running 15:18. That was a big confidence builder going into track. As for track, I was happy with my 9:08 win at Arcadia even though I was in the third fastest heat. I thought I could run faster if I was in a different heat but it was a good race regardless.
3) At what point in your high school career, do you feel like you made your biggest jump and what race can you pinpoint to giving you the confidence that you can run with the best runners in California?
My biggest jump was between the Jesuit/Davis Jamboree my junior year where I had a terrible race and the De La Salle invitational where I really thought I had a solid race. Coming back from a bad set of three races and getting third was a confidence builder. The race that proved to me that I could run with the best in the state was the SJS Section meet at Willow Hills. I started off slow, and I took the lead with about 1.5 miles to go and didn't look back. I ran a huge PR and then knew I was in for a big race at state.
4) Did you do anything differently this summer in preparation for this cross country season?Through the past couple summers, I have been doing a lot of miles with a speed workout or tempo once a week, but this summer I cut out the speed stuff. I just focused on running miles on miles and its paid off already in my endurance.
5) What does a typical training week look like for you with a Saturday race? Any morning runs? Strength work? Typical mileage? Length of long run?
A typical week is an easy run on Monday anywhere from 8-10 miles. Then on Tuesday we do some sort of long intervals and usually get about 9 in. Wednesday is another easy run of about 8-10. Thursday is tempo, and early season we do long tempos of about 4 and later in the season they will get shorter and quicker to about 2-2.5 miles. Friday is pre-race of 4-6.Saturday we try to get in 10 miles. Sunday is long run day normally 12 miles of hills around a lake. We should get in 60-70 a week without any doubles.
6) Who is your coach and how has he helped you get to your current position?
I run for Walt Lange. He has helped me a ton and I can't thank him enough for everything he has done for me. He isn't a very vocal coach when we are running, but he always pushes us hard and gives us workouts that he knows will make us better runners. He has taught me more about running than I could have ever imagined.
7) Tell us a little about your two race efforts so far this season. What was your plan before each effort?
The first race was a trial run with just Jesuit. I led almost the whole run and the rest of the team just followed in my footsteps. I felt like it was a solid effort by the whole team. The second race was more of a tempo for me. I've been nursing an ankle sprain and I had to wear an ankle brace for the race so I couldn't wear racers. Our team planned on running as a pack right around the front and it worked out flawlessly and we placed 1-4 in a race with some decent competition.
8) How familiar are you with your section and state level competition? Do you keep an eye on their performances throughout the season?
My coach is big on knowing your competition so yes I do keep up with both the state and section competition throughout the whole year.
9) What races are you looking forward to as you look ahead to the rest of the season?
I'm really looking forward to Stanford, Clovis, and the State meet this year. Those are the three meets with the steepest competition and I think that's what makes racing really fun.
10) Favorite cross country race? Favorite cross country course? Favorite opponents? Favorite cross country workout? Favorite long run? Favorite track meet? Favorite track event? Favorite track workout? Footlocker or NXN? Favorite pre runners? Favorite free time activity?
My favorite XC race has to be the state meet just because it's the meet that means the most. Despite that, my favorite course has to be Willow Hills. I've ran that course three times a year and each time it gets more fun. My favorite XC workout is either a 5x1k workout or 4-5 Long Pennsylvania's. A Long Pennsylvania is a hill that starts out with about .25 of flat then a .35 mile section of straight uphill. It's the toughest workout I've done but you can immediately feel the benefit. We do a lot of long runs out at Lake Natomas which is a 12 miler with hills. My favorite track meet has to be Arcadia and my favorite event is the 3200. The best track workout in my mind is 10x400. This year, I am hoping that my team can qualify for NXN but if not as a team, then I'm planning on running there as an individual. My favorite free-time activities include playing basketball and for the most part doing anything outdoors.
11) What does it mean to you to be part of the great Jesuit legacy that includes some of the best runners and teams in state history?
It really means a lot to be a part of a historic Jesuit Legacy. I've meet many of the Jesuit greats and it just seems like a great group to be a part of. Running for Jesuit definitely keeps me humble knowing that there have been so many fast runners to run on the exact same trails as I did.
12) Anything else you would like to add.
I would just like to add that I am extremely thankful for all those that have helped me in my running career, especially all of my coaches and my parents that I know will do anything to help me be a better runner.