What was your most memorable meet or race?
I would have to say that my most memorable meet would have to be state my sophomore and junior season because we won the entire state meet but along with that their was some very memorable races. The 3200m relay those two years were the races that stick out in my mind the most because we ran the 5th fastest time in state history and then repeated the following year.
Who was your biggest competition?
I can't really say just one or two guys on this because their was so many people in so many different events that I can't just say one. But it would probably be the Ste.Gen boys, Herky Boys, and also the Cape Notre Dame Boys.
Out of all your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
This is probably a 3 way tie between win state back to back years in track, running the 5th fastest time in state history on the 3200m relay, and setting our school record in the 800m run.
If you could do it all over again is there anything you would change?
I could be like most people and say just train harder but I personally wouldn't want to change a thing. Everything happened for a reason throughout my career and I wouldn't want to change any of it because I had the time of my life with my team mates throughout the past 4 years.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Their is two things that stick out in my mind when this question is asked. One would be all the nagging knee injuries that caused my senior season to come to a slow painful end over sectionals and state. Two, switching from Class 1 to Class 2 my senior year. It is the biggest change in everything that happened. We couldn't go into the state meet knowing that we were the best team here and nobody will stop us for achieving greatness.
What will you miss the most?
Everyone that I have met over the past 4 years. Yes I will be running in college but it won't be the same as wearing the blue Nike singlet with the name "Valle Catholic" across the front.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Just do the best you can. If you feel comfortable in what you are doing, your not working hard enough. Those summer runs can change the world for you. No matter what the temperature is you can't just sit around thinking "oh, ill be good once season comes" because it will only hurt you in the long run.
What are your college plans?
I will be attending Fontbonne University in Clayton, MO to study middle school education with a minor in mathematics.
Who would you like to thank?
I would like to first off thank Mo.Milesplit for covering so many races and doing so much for the track and field community across the state of Missouri. Second, I would like to thank my school by giving me the opportunity to run track and field and also cross country for Valle Catholic. Third, to all my team mates and coaches that I have had over the past for years. Without any of you being their to push me every day I wouldn't be where I am today without the help of you. With the help of my team mates and coaches we have created a dynasty starting back with Ray Stanley, going through Robert Neager and Stephen Bauman, then to Jacob Grass and Andy Neager, to now Matthew Bauman and myself. Without these guys showing me and guiding me saying that you can do it, then none of this would have been possible. And last but not least, all my family and friends. You have traveled countless miles to watch me run in ovals for 16 laps in a meet. Without all your love and support I wouldn't be the person I am today and the least I can say is Thank You.