Jack is a junior at Holland Hall School in Tulsa. Jack is a standout cross country and track runner as well as a true academic all-star. We kept our discussion focused on running though.
Trani:
In addition to cross country and track, you also do a good many road races. Which event is your favorite?
Jack:
Cross Country is probably my favorite, because I like the longer distance as compared to track and the more varied terrain as compared to road races.
Trani:
So, what are your PRs?
Jack:
At Chile Pepper last weekend I ran 16:04 and finished 8th overall. I'm really not sure what my PR is in a 5K road race. I know I ran 16-something at the Full Moon 5K last summer. On the track, my best 2 Mile time is 10:08 and my best 1 Mile is 4:44.
Trani:
If cross country is your favorite event, what's your favorite course?
Jack:
I really like OSU because of all the rolling hills. This year was really fun running through all that mud leading up to the hills.
Trani:
What's the cross country record at Holland Hall and do you have it in your crosshairs?
Jack:
Jonathan Bundren holds the record – 15:36. I think I can beat it. I was hoping to get it this year at Chile Pepper, but I heard they lengthened the course by about 100 meters or something this year. I still ran faster than last year.
Trani:
So, you have a favorite course. Do you have a favorite competitor, someone who really gets your juices flowing?
Jack:
Probably Ryan Farrar, because we've been running together in the Tulsa Spikes club for years.
Trani:
When did you start running and do you remember your first race?
Jack:
I started running in Tulsa Spikes when I was 8. My first race was the Fun Run at the Race for the Cure, and no, I don't remember if I "won" it or not.
Trani:
Holland Hall has a strong team this year. Is anybody nipping at your heels?
Jack:
Bryant Wright is running great. He's been a lot stronger than I expected. (Trani's note: Bryant ran 17:49 at OSU, 6 seconds back of Jack and 16:19 at Chile Pepper.)
Trani:
Holland Hall doesn't compete in the state meet in Oklahoma. What is your big end of season meet?
Jack:
We compete in SPC against other prep schools in Oklahoma and Texas. Our conference meet is at Norbuck Park in Dallas on November 4. Our main competition will probably come from Green Hill and Kincaid. They're both Texas schools. St. Mark's won last year, but they lost a lot of people to graduation.
Trani:
One last question, do you have a favorite pre-race meal?
Jack:
If we're running out of town, especially if the race is later in the day, I like the "Lumberjack Slam" from Denny's. It's bacon, sausage, eggs, hash browns and lots of stuff that you probably shouldn't eat before running, but it works for me. Otherwise, I like peanut butter on toast.
Trani:
Thanks Jack, and good luck at SPC.
(OKTrackXC.com would like to thank Trani for the interview. Also, all you state qualifiers need to stop by Trani's running store, Tulsa Runner, after you run a great state meet.)