Salute to Seniors: Kaleb Wilson

Jun 25, 2012

What was your most memorable race?

My most memorable race this year was 2011 State Cross Country Championships. The night before the race definitely got me because I wanted to go undefeated to dedicate my season to Josh, and to go undefeated with the team as well. After coming across the finish line first was just an indescribable feeling and hearing the results how we finished as a team by 1 point was just crazy.

What would you consider your biggest competition?

Like Zach said, the mind is my biggest competition as well, every cross country race in 2011 I was very confident and the times were getting much faster. Track season I got a hip injury on the third day of practice and lost a lot of confidence for the season then in late April my hip started to get better and was back to racing, but not in the shape or confidence that I had for cross country.

Out of all of your high school accomplishments which stands out the most?

I would definitely have to say winning the State title in cross country stands out the most. Starting cross country in the seventh grade and was 7^th man on the team all year gradually working my way up to 3^rd man in 8^th grade, then to 5^th man freshman year then striving to be the fastest on the team. Training with Ryan Meyer, David Nilges, and Carl Broman all throughout my high school career gave me a positive mind set, them telling me that I have a shot at the state title my senior year was just a great feeling. I always thought about what they said before and after every run. And winning it for Josh made the accomplishment that much better.

If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?

I would definitely try to do more 800 races. In the 4x8 race at State Track this year just thinking it was the last 800 I will run as a high school athlete I ran a split in 2:03. I was happy with the time because it was my pr, but I wish I could have ran it more to try to go under 2 minutes.

What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?

The most difficult obstacles to overcome were my nerves about every race, my hip injury which held me back in my training, and right after sectionals in 2011 in track getting gastroenteritis trying to recover before state track.

What will you miss the most?

I will miss competing as a high school athlete and the team bonding this year. Dinner at Ryan’s Buffet every year the night before state cross country watching and laughing as my teammates have roll eating contests making themselves sick. Also, when we go out to Dragon Kitchen and see who can eat the most food.

Do you have any advice for younger athletes?

You can do anything you set your mind to. All you need is some durable running shoes and high hopes and you can do anything you want. Shoot for the moon you will land somewhere in the stars!

What are your college plans?

I plan to attend William Woods University to study Exercise science or athletic training. Also looking forward to compete in NAIA in the 5k,8k,10k, and hopefully my biggest goal is to compete in Marathons!

Who would you like to say thank you to?

I would like to thank God for giving me the gifts to run, and to never give up on any goal I want to pursue. I would also like to thank my parents for spending money on cross country camps and the abundant amounts of running shoes they bought for me for every pair I tore up. Coach Tim Bower, Ryan Meyer, David Nilges, Carl Broman for pushing me to what I have become today in the running world. The Everetts for great support, and talking to me after the State Cross Country and State Track my senior year. Also Craig Martin for the really nice interview he put up on Milesplit for Josh and I. And the fans all over the state who were inspired, I couldn’t have asked for much more, thank you Missouri High School Runners for your support!

More Coverage

Kaleb's Athlete Profile

Records for Joshua

2012 College Signings

Want to be featured in our Salute To Seniors series? Email PEverett@milesplit.com and answer the questions above! Congratulations to the class of 2012 on all their hard work and success.

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