(Photo Credit: Tom Crowther)
This week, our Male Runner of the Week goes to Lukas Koch, a senior at Centralia High School, for his performance at Centralia Invitational. Koch ran a quick 15:54 to place first and win by 36 seconds. This time not only is the fastest Class 1 time this year, but makes him one of only a few Class 1 runners to break 16. Koch is coming off a great junior year where he was second at State Cross Country and then first in the 800, 1600, and 3200 on the track. Coach Tom Crowther says Lukas "instantly found his place. He had talent from the start but has really worked hard dedicating himself to running year round. The thing I like about coaching Lukas is his positive attitude for the sport and for the other athletes. He will always encourage runners both team members and competition alike. He will finish his race and run back to encourage others. Athletes like Lukas make coaches like me look like a genius. I will hate to see him go next year but I look forward to seeing what he can do at the next level." We caught up with Lukas and asked him a couple of questions about his race as well as his season.
Kansas MileSplit: Lukas, you had a dominating performance on Saturday winning the Centralia Invitational in a blistering 15:54, 36 seconds faster than second place. Talk to us about how the race played out.
Lukas Koch: Well 90% of all world records are set by running negative splits, so in order to drop under 16, thats what I had to do. I cam across the mile marker in a pack at 5:27, which is relatively slow but I couldn't take off too fast. I really focused on the second mile, working the uphills, and flying down the downhills. I came across the 2 mile mark at 10:24, so my second mile was roughly 4:57, by this time I knew I had a shot to run a great time, I don't wear a watch so I basically went in a mental power surge. As I approached the last 400 meters I could tell in my coaches eyes that the school record of 15:57 was definitely in reach. As I crossed the finish line there was just something that told me I had done it, and the official time confirmed it.
(Photo Credit: Tom Crowther)
KM: Last spring you won the triple crown on the track (800, 1600, 3200). How was that experience and running three quality races in one day?
LK: Well the 3200 was actually on Friday evening, but they were all ran in a 24 hour period. I was most concerned about the two-mile, but it panned out pretty good. I kind of expected the 1600 to end in gold, but the 800 was a great test as well. It was around 90 degrees and windy, so to run a PR and earn the triple crown was a true blessing.
KM: What has it been like competing at a Class 1 school?
LK: I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love racing without a chip on my shoulder, and the underdog feeling is what really turns my motor. It is rare for a 1A kid to produce times that can compete with those large 6A and private schools. We don't have a true track, its asphalt, so I can't really practice on it unless I want to get injured. So we resort to the football field some days, but we usually run on good ol' backroads. I only have 18 kids in my graduating class so all or our sports teams are small. This year I only have 2 other teammates, so the practices I run are with myself, and a heart rate monitor. It takes a lot of will power, and mental strength to push through the hard days when you don't have equally as gifted teammates to fall back on. But I couldn't be more proud of my little team or the farm that I call home. I wish everyone got the chance to experience the small town life. I follow running closely, I know who the best runners are, like Donahue, Vasquez, Garcia, and Guinn. I follow them all to see where I should set my goals, and Saturday's time definitely put me in good company. McNutt and Guinn went to a summer camp in Pueblo, Colorado; as did I so I've had opportunities to meet with some of the top Kansas runners.
(Photo Credit: Tom Crowther)
KM: As a senior, what are your goals for the rest of your season/rest of your senior year?
LK: Well my ultimate goal was to run 15:56 on a 5K cross country course, but now that I hae achieved that I guess that winning State would be the next logical step. As for track, I would love to defend my championships, break a state record, and possibly throw the 400 meter dash into the mix, but we'll see how winter training goes before I attempt to break the 50 second barrier.
KM: What is your favorite race you have run so far?
LK: Saturday's race probably ranks number 2 because I literally had all the fans cheering me on. But my favorite race, was my 1st State Championship. It was in 2011 during the 3200 meter race. I came in ranked second, and the plan was to follow the leader. I do not remember the final lap, do to the lack of oxygen in my brain, but a teammate of my was on the in field and he repeated this simple phrase twice with 2 laps to go, "How do you want to be remembered?" Everybody knows the answer to that, we all want to be remember was a not only a great runner, but a great person. As a sophomore in high school, I won the 1A State 3200m race by .05 seconds, winning with a lean. I PR'd by 35 seconds, shattering my expectations and the school record. That was definitely my favorite race. I came back on Saturday and won the 1600 meter, again with a lean against the same competitor and a margin of victory of. 05 seconds, I guess you could say I cut it pretty close.
KM: Thank you Lukas, and best of luck on the rest of your season!