What was your most memorable race?
There are a couple races that will always stick with me as I look back on my high school running career. The first has to be State Cross this past year. No doubt winning individually and beating some of the best in state history was thrilling, but being on the podium with six of my closest friends and knowing that my contribution was the key for us all to have that state-championship-winning experience was a feeling I still have trouble expressing.
I can’t forget about Forest Park sophomore year either. I knew going into it I could really do something as a runner but that was the race that proved it to me. A lot of people said I became a “household name” for my fourth-place finish there, but for me, it was proof that I could compete with and at some point or another defeat the guys I once thought were unbeatable.
Who was your biggest competition?
Everyone else seems to be really high on their comp being their respective selves. Yeah that’s nice and touching and all, but I’d do my research before every race and know who was going to be there and how they’d been doing lately. To name names, of course Zach stands out. We had one hellofa rivalry going and he really is one of the best Missouri has ever seen. For some of our smaller meets, it was tough to figure out who to race against when there was such a discrepancy in times, so I’d usually focus on bettering one aspect of my race.
Which high school accomplishment stands out the most?
The last three years being able to get on the podium as a team in Cross. Rock Bridge had never trophied (best finish was fifth a few years before I came in) and to give Blackburn three plaques and then a ring last year was the least I could do for what he’s done for me.
After we finished a disappointing eighth my freshman year, we knew we had the talent (six of the seven guys are or will be running D1) to get a trophy sophomore year. We started taking training more seriously and even though I didn’t have my best day, we still got to the podium, and Ill never forget how exciting that day was for our school.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
Maybe taking it out from the gun isn't the best tactic... Or is it?
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Self doubt. I know it’s hard to believe especially with how I’d act before races, but I’d get pretty nervous before a race. Even in races I knew I was going to win, I’d still question myself because I’d want to perform at such a high level and didn’t always know if it was going to happen. I know a lot of runners (and athletes in general) deal with this and sure I could’ve handled it differently and a lot of people around the state would have a different perception of me. I believe that having confidence exteriorly helps my. Minus a few instances here and there, I overcame this obstacle.
What will you miss the most?
Training under Blackburn. I will never be able to fully give back to what he has given to me. The courage and passion he has for the sport ignites a fire under you. To me almost every single one of his athletes has experienced this and if you catch one of his athletes in this "zone" that will be a tough individual to beat on that day.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Ignorance is bliss. Not knowing any better and having nothing to lose is where I had some of my best races.
What are your college plans?
Going to be a hawkeye! Coach Wiz from Iowa is a genuine person. He and I see eye to eye, and he understands fact that I'm not your typical xc runner. He respects me for it.
Is there anyone you would like to thank?
Thanks to the running community that Missouri has. It's a special one. And a special thanks to the Everrett family. I became very close to them over the last 4 years, and it never gets old when Paul tells me I'm on the milesplit team. I feel people take the site for granted sometimes and don't see how much effort they actually put in to make YOU happy. They truly enhance the experience of being an athlete in Missouri.
More Coverage
Ben Rosario interviews Caleb after the the 2011 XC Championship
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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