What does your training look like right now given the current situation?
The coaching staff of SJA Track and Field has really helped everyone on my team train away from practice. They have given us workouts and times to hit that that we can complete on our own. I normally meet up with a couple of my friends each day to do these workouts.
What are you doing to stay busy other than run right now?
I am playing a lot of basketball in my driveway and definitely grinding on the video games. My dad and my brothers and me helped to chop down our neighbor's tree.
What was your most memorable race/moment?
My favorite moment was finishing 4th in my regional my junior year in the high jump, my first time making state. I was super pumped because I had missed a state-bid by one place the year before.
What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career?
Me and a couple of my friends brought a mini basketball hoop to some of the meets last year and would mess around with it on the infield. We would sometimes dunk on our teammates and friends.
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
Definitely my teammate Zach Wurtenberger. It probably sounds strange that my own teammate was my biggest competition, but we both came in as freshman together and have always run the same events. There is not anyone I have practiced track more with over the winter/spring than Zach, and we have always been really close in our 400 meter times. We both bring the best out in each other.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment was finishing 7th last year in 5A in the high jump at State, despite the challenging weather and storms. I'll never forget what it felt like to stand on that podium in front of thousands of people.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
I would never take any hard workout for granted, and I would cherish every moment even more than I did in my past 4 years.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
I broke my pelvis running the 200 meter dash my freshman year in a meet where I had set personal bests in every event in which I had competed. The recovery took about 4 months but I didn't feel the same for about a year.
What will you miss the most?
I'll never forget the feeling of standing at the start line and getting ready to run my leg of the 4x400 meter relay. Watching your teammate fly towards you and knowing that you are about to run gives me adrenaline rushes to this day.
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
Never, ever, ever, give up when times are hard. I went through so many painful moments in my 4 years, from losing a race, breaking my pelvis, and running repeat 400's on a 95 degree day. However, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat, just for the many memories that I will have from running track in high school. Track is the ultimate team sport.
What kind of an impact has your coach had on you and your team?
I firmly believe that my team and I have the best coaches in the State. I have never had a better relationship with any coach in my life, then my track Coach Greg Bomhoff. I am so jealous that the juniors, sophomores, and freshman get to be around Coach Bomhoff every day next year when I am off to college. My coaches, including Coach Radke, bring out the best in every single one of my teammates, and they would do anything for anyone on this team.
What are your college plans?
I plan to attend K-State University next year and study Biology.
Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
I would love to thank my parents, teammates, and obviously my coaches for pushing me during the last 4 years of track. There is no way I could have done it without them and I promise I will come back and visit the team next year!
Favorite Meal?
Chicken Pot Pie with Cantaloupe on the side, and some of my mom's cookies.
If you could be any animal what would you choose? and why?
Bald Eagle, I want to know what it would feel like to fly...