Q: What drives you to be exceptional at what you’re doing in cross country?

A: My brother went through the sport. He is great at it, and that’s exactly what I want to be. I want to be great at the sport; I want to do everything I possibly can to just be the best I can be.

Q: What are some roadblocks that you face in getting to your brother’s level?

A: Well, being [overweight]. [It was] the biggest thing I possibly went through. I’ve been very lucky not to get a major injury. So just working through all that, and I had a bit of a mental block, and seventh grade, I mean, I know it was seventh grade, but it was still a little annoying. I wasn’t really making any progress, but as I got through eighth grade, I started to see the progress and just how it goes. 

Q: How does it feel to be a freshman on varsity? 

A: It feels amazing. My brother was top seven his freshman year, and just how good the squad is this year, one of the best we’ve ever had in school history. It’s just so amazing to be [in the] top seven. I’m excited for what comes with this season.

Q: Who do you model after and why?

A: So, it’s pretty self-explanatory, but my brother, of course. I mean, he’s with me all the time. He’s just what I look at when I look at success. He [was the best runner in] Illinois for four years. It’s just cool.

Q: Do you have a plan for where you want to go [after high school]?

A: Not exactly, but I was looking for Michigan.

Q: So do you see you’re still doing it outside of school?

A: Yeah. That’s my overall goal.

Q: What else do you do to stay consistent in running?

A: What I do outside of school. I do all my supplementals, like stretching core, pushups, just working out overall. Rolling out. I also have some other stuff. I have recovery gear [like] these NormaTech boots, which basically help with blood flow, so those help a lot. 

Q: What’s something you do now that you would have liked to do sooner?

A: One thing I wish I had taken more seriously earlier is getting the correct amount of sleep. That just helps with recovery, and I think that’s actually the most important thing you can do. Usually, if homework’s not heavy, I try to get 9+. [And] I’m eating a lot better. Just more consistently stretching, getting in the weight room, doing foam rolling, and stuff like that. 

Q: Does [being a runner] feel like a chore?

A: I love it. It’s just something to get better, something to be more successful. It’s routine now.

Q: How does it feel when people pronounce your name wrong?

A: It’s really annoying, especially when announcers do it, because my brothers went through the same thing.