What was your most memorable meet or race?
Probably the 4x800 at districts my junior year. Our lead leg dropped the baton and we had a huge gap put on us by first place. And I ran my fastest split to catch up to the leader and handed off in first. Then we ended up winning that 4x800 by 50 meters thats when I knew our team was one that would be a big contender at state.
Who was your biggest competition?
Freshman and Sophomore year me and Justin Brown from Truman and Matt Armstrong from Liberty always raced against each other in the mile, and depending on the day anyone of us could beat the others it just depended on who wanted to win. Then my junior and senior year I switched to the 800 and Joe Walton my teammate was always my competition in the 800 along with Liban Samatar. And then this year even though we didn't race a lot I liked competing with Carson Bode.
Out of all your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
Going with my team to state my junior year and getting 5th in the 4x800 and putting Park Hill on the map. We also broke a 30 year school record in that event, so that's the one that sticks out the most to me.
What will you miss the most?
My younger teammates that I don't get to workout with anymore. Kyle Pudenz was like my best friend and I don't get to race with him or practice with him anymore, unless he decides to go to Mizzou with me. And of course I'll miss my coach who got me started with track all together and who was the main reason for my success.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Stay in shape all year. Don't take the easy way out and take of the winter or the summer, because you'll regret not doing anything when you have to quit a workout in front of your team because your body can't handle it.
What are your college plans?
I'm going to the University of Missouri to be a tiger, and run with Coach Lynn. And as of right now I've noticed a ton of really good runners from Missouri going there and I'm very excited.
Who would you like to thank?
There is a long list, but to start off I have to thank coach Parr, because without him I wouldn't of taken track as seriously as I did. I would of focused more on soccer and probably not have realized my true potential in track. He opened my eyes and was probably my biggest motivator as well. Then is my parents, and my Nana (grandma) who made it to almost every single meet no matter where it was, and my mom especially for being the loudest person in the stands. Finally my teammates who made the 4 years of track the best of my life. They went through every awful practice with me and they shared every win with me too, so I couldn't have done it without them.
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <em style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: invert none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana;">Want to be featured in our Salute To Seniors series? Email PEverett@milesplit.com and answer the questions above! Congratulations to the seniors on all their hard work and success.</em><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana;"> </span></p> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p> </p>