Senior
Who do you look up to as an inspiration to your running?
My parents, though not runners themselves, will always be my best coaches. They would cheer me on in middle school fair fun-runs before I even knew what a warm-up was. For a long time I have looked up to Joe St. Cyr, who was an excellent CHS senior runner when I was a freshman and who now runs for LSU. One of my biggest inspirations is Pierce Hill, who was one of our seniors last year and possesses one of the most fearless running attitudes I have ever seen. Zach Capello, one of my competitors last year, was always smiling and always pushed me to run faster. I look up to my coaches Pete Boudreaux, Nick Minvielle, and Adam MacDowell. All of the people really have a special effect on me whenever I hear them cheering for me in a race.
Up to this point in your running career, what has been your most memorable moment?
My most memorable moment occurred when I was still in elementary school. I was running in my school fair's half-mile fun run, but I was not yet on a team. I remember seeing the finish line after what seemed like an eternity, remembering my parents' advice to run as fast as I could when I saw it, and taking off as fast as I could go. That race set a precedent for my running career, and I did the same thing in every race afterward. Today, my ability to finish a race strong is one of my most valuable abilities as a runner.
How do you balance your academic workload while competing at a high level year round?
I apply the same work ethic to my classes and other extracurricular activities as I do to my running. It isn't always easy to fit it all in, but it's worth it.
If you only had one song to listen to before your race, which would it be?
I don't listen to music before races, but if I did then it would probably be "One Thing Remains" by Kristian Stanfill.
What is your favorite workout?
My favorite workout is a track workout that we do at CHS only once per year. We refer to it as the four-minute-mile drill, and it consists of eight reps of thirty-second 200s which start every sixty seconds.
Are you interested in running after high school and if so, what are you looking for a in school in order to determine if it is the right fit for you?
Absolutely! I plan on majoring in aerospace engineering, and I'm hoping to attend a school where I can fit in, excel at academics, and run fast.
What meets are you looking forward to the most this year?
I'm really looking forward to the Catholic High Invitational, since there will be so many great teams and runners there. However, my favorite course is the Battlefield Cross Country Festival at Port Hudson. The course goes through the woods and is hilly, curvy, and fun. State meet is always exciting, too. Despite some lowered expectations for CHS this season, I think we may have a few surprises in Nachitoches.
What is your pre-meet or pre-race routine that you like to follow?
I start with a breakfast mixture made from oatmeal, peanut butter, and Nutella. When I get to the meet I try not to move around much. I talk with teammates, and about half an hour before the meet, I warm up and do drills with my team. When we're all on the start line, Coach comes over and talks to us a last time before the race. The last thing we do before the race is pray together on the start line.
How many days a week do you run?
It varies from four to six days per week. I have marching band practice twice a week, and sometimes there isn't enough time to run on those days.
And lastly, what food do you crave most after a hard workout or a race?
After a day and a half of a particularly high-carb, low-fat diet, I'm ready for a big, greasy hamburger or pizza.
