PR’s:
800 meters     2:00
1600 meters     4:31
5000 meters CC  17:03 

CRC: When did you begin running?  And what drew you into the sport of cross country?
TW: I started running in 7^th grade.  I went out for cross country in the fall; I didn’t run during the summer and just showed up the first day of “mandatory practice.”  That was painful, but it still took me a few more seasons to learn why you should run during the summer.  I think I ran about 14:10 that season. (editor’s note: for the 3200m distance)   I had always liked running in gym class at school.  I always seemed to be one of the faster kids.  I did not play football or soccer and I physically seem to be built more like a runner. So it just seemed to be the natural thing to do.  Not to mention, my dad and mom run and I have uncles that run. 

CRC: You've shown great improvement from year to year since that seventh grade season.  How have you consistently managed to drop time?  What does it take to make a leap forward as a runner?TW: The reason for any improvement I’ve had over the years is pretty straight forward.  Since the winter of eighth grade I have run consistently, year round.  Also, I have had good coaches.  I’ve been fortunate to have coaches like Coach Helfrich and Coach Mills. 

CRC: So far, what has been your greatest running memory?
TW: Number one has to be my freshman year in cross country.  It was the most fun I’ve had running.  I was the freshman with a bunch of older guys.  We had a good group including older teammates Aaron and Ben Wibberley and Stephen and Shaun Boedicker.  The upperclassmen treated me well and it taught me a lot about how to behave as I became an older member of the team. Besides that, I would have to say qualifying for the regional meet in track last year in the 1600 meters, by getting 2^nd in the district, has to be my best memory. 

CRC: That’s a solid run, taking second at Districts.  Now, what are your personal goals for this season?  What are your long term running goals?
TW: At this point in the season, I would just like to improve as much as possible.  I missed the first part of the cross country racing season with a hamstring injury, but I’m feeling better now and would like to lower my cross country PR before season ends.  In the spring, I would like to go as low and far as possible at 1600 meters and go under 2:00 at 800 meters. 

CRC: What's your favorite cross country meet?  Why?
TW: Our cross country team has gone to the Erin Nance cross country invitational at London the last two years.  I can’t say that I’ve had my best races there but it’s a golf course and it is really pleasant.  They also have a “pack award” at this meet (the team with smallest gap between #1 and #5 man).  Liberty won the award both years we went to the race. 

CRC: I’ve always liked the “Pack Award” that London gives out.  It just reinforces how much of a “team” sport cross country really is.  From what your coach has told us, that seems to be something that you really focus on.  So, what's it take to be named a 3 time captain of the same team? 
TW: It was an honor to be voted a captain as a sophomore and junior, but I don’t think I really thought about it much at the time because I always thought of myself as a junior captain  since there was always one or two other teammates older than me that were also captains.  As a senior, it really means a lot to me to be a captain.  I really think of the team this season as my team, since I’m a senior.  

CRC: There aren’t too many three-time team captains out there, so you should be proud of that accomplishment.  Getting back to the competition side of the sport though – your track times are impressive.  Do you feel more at home racing the shorter distance events in track, or do you prefer XC?  How do you feel your track seasons have impacted your XC seasons? 
TW: Cross country and track are just so different for me.  I really like cross country, but my times would suggest that I have more success on the track and with shorter stuff. I would like to be an overall distance/middle distance runner, so my goal is to run better at the longer distances.  I’d like to think of track as being a building block for my overall strength that will benefit the next cross country season, and likewise, cross country is a building block for track. 

CRC: What do you like about your team that makes you guys unique and different?
TW: I only know my team, so I’m not really sure what is unique about us.  Liberty High School is only 5 years old so the program is still fairly new and we already have a lot of guys, I think about 45 (only 6 seniors).  I know that the underclassmen on the Liberty team this year have as much overall talent as any team I’ve been on and they are learning what it takes to excel.  So, Liberty will be a force next year.  Also, only Liberty has Coach Mills!! 

CRC: What kind of training do you guys do?  What's your favorite workout? 
TW: I really like running 400 intervals.  12 x 400 with minimum rest!  That’s a pretty good workout.  I also like my long runs.  In between seasons, I usually run them on my own and I like that. 

CRC: Do you plan on running in college?  Which college is your dream school?
TW: I do want to run in college, but I really don’t have where nailed down yet. 

CRC: With this being your senior year, what are your goals for life after high school?  What do you want to do after you're finished with school?
TW: I plan to go on to college.  I really like history, so if I can figure out how to ultimately make a living and major in history or political science, I might consider that. 

CRC: Outside of running, what do you like to do with your free time?
TW: I like to spend time with my friends, family and my new puppy. 

CRC: Having been through the ups and downs of your high school cross country career, what piece of advice would you offer to underclassmen looking to improve as runners?
TW: Keep running.  Run year round.  Run track and cross country.  Be patient, improvement will probably not be without some ups and downs.