MoMileSplit : Congratulations on winning the Kearney Invitational for the 2nd consecutive year. Sweeter winning it the first time or defending your title?
Ty: I would say defending the Kearney Invite title was a pretty cool highlight of my senior season. The course is just a really neat place to compete at.
MoMileSplit Liberty North was 5th as a team at Kearney in 2012 and this year the team wins. What’s different about this team?
Ty: Yes! We were excited to win the invite that day. Our team is more motivated to perform well for the remainder of the season. We told ourselves to celebrate for a short time, but focus on our bigger goals as a whole.
MoMileSplit: Margin of victory in the team race was 1 point - What are the conversations like with the team when you realize that?
Ty: We were pretty anxious to check the results after our cool down. We were trying to remember who came in what place against other teams. We knew it was going to come down to the wire, because there were some good teams at that meet.
MoMileSplit: When & how did you get started in cross country?
Ty: I started Cross Country in my freshman year after changing school districts. When I started high school, my folks pushed me to be a part of something bigger than myself. I did not enjoy it the first year, because I was not used to running. After my sophomore year, I decided to keep running after our team was so close to qualifying for the state meet. We took third place at Districts that year, and that gave our team motivation to get stronger and better at running.
MoMileSplit : Who has influenced you the most so far in your life and what they mean to you and your success?
Ty: My mother ran Cross in high school and college. She was the one who talked into starting the sport at the beginning of my high school career. My mom and dad are my biggest fans when it comes to race day. My coach has also influenced me to push myself out of my comfort zone when it comes time for meets.
MoMileSplit Your favorite past performance in a cross country race and why?
Ty: My favorite performance in a cross country race was at the 2012 State Cross Country Championships. No one on the 2012 Liberty North roster had ever qualified for the state meet. It was my first state experience that brought so much excitement. I had worked so hard to qualify for the state meet. I was so thrilled that our varsity team took third place and that I got all-state.
MoMileSplit: What is your greatest non-running experience in cross country so far and why?
Ty: My favorite non-running experience in Cross Country is learning that hard work does indeed pay off. Being a part of a team is a memorable life experience that should not be overlooked. Our coach always encouraged us to have team parties to grow closer to each other.
The Fun Run
MoMileSplit: What music do you rock while working out?
Ty: I rarely listen to music when I run, but when I do, I listen to Fort Minor’s Remember the Name, because it pumps you up for a race.
MoMileSplit: Do you like to run in the mud or the grass?
Ty: I prefer running in the grass. Running up those muddy hills at Rim Rock this year was quite the adventure.
MoMileSplit: Do you hang out on Facebook or Twitter?
Ty: I usually hang out on Facebook.
MoMileSplit: Do you like going out or chilling at home?
Ty: I love going out when I can.
MoMileSplit: What gear is your favorite while running?
Ty:.If I have my Garmin watch on, I’m set.