Lukas Verzbicas (IL) is a student of the sport.
Despite how busy he must be winning World Duathlon Championships, National titles and setting U.S. records, Lukas still finds the time to study the history of the sports he competes in. That history is currently being rewritten by Lukas, but he doesn't get caught up in all the hype.
"I am the age of a junior so I can't disrespect all the great history here and the runners before me", he said when asked about having the opportunity to be the first boys champion to win three titles in a row.
As it was, Lukas overcame the odds and became the first sophomore champion in Foot Locker history.
So as Lukas looks forward to breaking more records and rewriting more of our sports rich history, he also looks back. Back at the records he is chasing, and – even though he knows it's not a good idea – back at his competition.
"I kept looking back, I know it's a bad habit". If you understand Lukas you know that he wasn't looking back in fear, but out of respect for the talent that his competitors possess.
Briefly, those competitors held leads throughout the race, but those moments were fleeting. Brian Shrader (AZ) and Wade Meddles (NV) led the West team off the starting line and took an early lead. "It (the race) didn't go out as hard as I thought, so I found myself in the lead and just pushed the pace" said Shrader.
Lukas regained the lead on the first time up the hill with Craig Lutz (TX), Shrader, and Kirubel Erassa (GA) in tow. But once they came to the downhill Shrader again pressed the pace. "On the downhill I made a move into first and it was cool for a few steps", he laughed.
It was at this point that Lukas gapped the field for good, but he was not taking any chances. "With all of these great guys here, I had to keep pressing because one of them could catch me".
Shrader would eventually fade in the last mile, leaving the door open for Lutz, Matt McElroy (CA), Meddles, and Erassa to make their moves to the front.
Kirubel kept his position in 4th until just before the last downhill, eventually giving way to a hard charging McElroy.
McElroy ran his plan to perfection, laying back early and making his move over the last half of the race.
"I wanted to make the move on the second mile and throw it down that third mile and run away". McElroy ripped the last 800 meters and flew by everyone into 2nd place.
Meddles took a similar tactic, easing off his flying start to relax back in the pack until the last loop, 
where he took advantage of the second time up the hill to move into third place overall. "It's a blessing to make this team, to do it my senior year and make this team, it's really awesome".
Lutz hung in there for 4th as the last downhill took its toll on Kirubel. Shrader was able to bounce back at the end, overtaking him to finish 5th.
For his part, Lukas wasn't sure that he was going to win until he entered the last mile, showing just how much he respects his peers. "Once I got up the big hill the second time I knew I was probably going to win this. Not until the big hill was I confident".
Lukas' humility is fairly common for a distance runner, but the way he voices that humility shows just how much he respects the ghosts from the past and the peers he dominated on this day. "This is just as big as the World Duathlon victory, there is so much history, this is just as great".
Photos by Don Rich, Margot Kelly, and Nicoll Knudson
