Claire Graves is the fastest sophomore girl in California and one of the top sophomores in the country after a spectacular freshman season that had her finish in 8th place in the always challenging Division II race at the State Meet. She leads the sophomore CA contingent with PRs in the 3 mle (16:31 at Woodbridge) and the 5k (17:42 at Brea Invitational). She will compete in the Large Varsity Race at the Clovis Invitational on Saturday at 7:15am.
1) How did you get your start in running?
I started running in the 3rd grade at my elementary school Arroyo Verde. My coach at school suggested I run for a USATF Club, The Southern California Roadrunners and my Coach at that time was Dr.Michael Leong. I ran for Roadrunners from 3rd grade through Middle School.
2) What were your personal records heading into high school?
1500M- 4:48, mile-5:12, 3000-10:26, 5K-17:59, Steeplechase 2000-7:41
Junior Olympics XC Champion (Alabama) Midget Girls, Indoor National USATF Track Champion in 1500M and 3000M, National Champion Steeple Chase Intermediate Girls.
3) What were your highlights and proudest achievements from your freshman cross country and track and field seasons?
Some proud moments during my freshman year would be, our team winning League title and being named League MVP. Running at the Woodbridge Invitational and having the fastest Freshman time of the meet was incredible. Making it to CIF Finals and running Mt.Sac in 17:12, making the list for the top fastest times by a Freshman on that course was very exciting to me. I then moved on to State Finals for my first time and came in 8th for CIF Div.2, achieving the top freshman spot in that division. I would also say that it was a honor running with Sarah Baxter in Div.2. I was so excited the first race I was in with her.
For my track season, I was excited to make qualifying times for the Mt.Sac and Arcadia Invitationals. I also won my league in track for 1600M, 3200M and the 4x800 relay with my team. I made League MVP in Distance. I did qualify for Track CIF Prelims and Finals for the 3200. In the Finals I finished 7th in Div.2
4) Did you do anything different this summer in preparation for your sophomore cross country season?
I do have a "New" Cross Country head coach this year. Dr.Haddock worked with our team and had us really focus on our training discipline.
5) What have you learned from your races so far this cross country season? What do you feel was your best race so far?
What I have learned is to follow a strategy based on each specific race. I feel my best race this season was The Cow Run in Cerritos which was the first 3 mile race in 16:34. That had been my goal for the season. I felt I ran a smart race that day.
6) Tell us a little about your coach and how he has helped you during your first two HS years?
Coach Haddock was our assistant Coach last year. He stepped up to head coach this year. Coach Haddock motivates us to do our best at practices, and always encourages all runners on the team to achieve their goals. Coach Haddock is very organized and trains us according to our race schedule. Everything is planned out in advance so we know what is expected.
7) Favorite XC course? Favorite XC invite? Favorite XCworkout? Favorite distance run? Favorite Track & Field event? Favorite Track invite? Favorite track workout? Any fun team traditions?
My favorite XC course is Mt.Sac this is a "true" XC Course, I love to run hills and this course has many. I have run Mt.Sac since I was 9 years old so it is always fun to run there.
My favorite invite is the Clovis Invite. I like the course (the same course that is used for state finals) and the weather in Fresno.
My favorite workout for XC would be hill repeats.
My favorite distance runs are always the longer runs. I have been able to run some 10K races where the distance is longer (which I really enjoy).
My favorite track event is the "Steeple Chase" , I wish we could run this event in High School. I ran this event in club, and look forward to running it in college.
My favorite "Track" invite is Arcadia. I like that schools from other states come to run and all the cool Nike gear they have at the meet.
Some fun traditions our team has is eating together at a pasta feed the night before league races and also making team t-shirts together.
8) What races are you most looking forward to the rest of the season?
The Mt.Sac Invite is coming soon. I always look forward to that race! Our team is running at the Clovis invite this weekend and our boys team is coming with us this year. It will be fun to have our school team together for that run.
9) Anything else you would like to add.
I feel I am really lucky to have so much support from so many coaches that help me achieve my running goals. Thank you for interviewing me!
