2023 ECI RUNNER Mid-Season Review
Boys Edition
ECI RUNNER: Last question, always a fun one....Do have any interesting pre-race rituals or favorite pre-race meals?
Sydney: I do have a pair of earrings that I always wear when I race, whenever I don’t race in them I always seem to have a bad race. I also like to eat banana-bread muffins and a granola bar before a race.
Sydney: I do have a pair of earrings that I always wear when I race, whenever I don’t race in them I always seem to have a bad race. I also like to eat banana-bread muffins and a granola bar before a race.
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Nicki Southerland
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ECI Runner caught up with Delta freshman standout Nicki Southerland recently and asked her about her transition to High School XC, Her Delta Eagle team, and how she handled the COVID quarantine this past spring/summer.
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ECI RUNNER: Tell us the story of how you came to Cross Country. Did you/Do you play any other sports? When did you start running XC in school? When did you realize you might be pretty good at it?
Nicki: Since I have been running races and doing triathlons most of my life, I knew that I was going to run cross country by the time I got into middle school. I started running cross country in 6th grade. I was always successful in my races when I was younger, but I started to really realize my talent in running when I won state in 7th and 8th grade, setting the course record. I also play basketball and run track. I used to play tennis and soccer, but I stopped that in middle school to focus more on running and basketball. |
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ECI RUNNER: What are some of your individual goals as we approach the end of the season? For you as an individual and for your Lady Eagles team?
Nicki: As an individual, I want to place in the top of the state at the state meet. I also want to get in the low 17:00's, and I have been working on getting my mile splits more even. As a team, we want to make it to semi state and stay injury-free.
Nicki: As an individual, I want to place in the top of the state at the state meet. I also want to get in the low 17:00's, and I have been working on getting my mile splits more even. As a team, we want to make it to semi state and stay injury-free.
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ECI RUNNER: Obviously, we are in Cross Country season right now, but you are a Track & Field athlete as well. Is there one season you like more than the other? What is it that you enjoy most about each?
Nicki: I enjoy cross country because there is a smaller team, so it makes us closer. I like that in cross country, you just have one race that you can put all of your effort into and then you are done. I also like that you are not running the same place the whole time, so you get a change in scenery. However, what I like about track is that you get to see your teammates' races and you are always running the same distance and doing it on a track, which makes it easier to compare times from different meets. |
ECI RUNNER: This Cross Country season has been different for everybody involved. What are some things you did over the time where you couldn't meet with your team this spring/summer to best prepare for the fall XC season?
Nicki: In the spring and summer when I couldn't meet with my team, I was still training, racing my watch. I took a short break when track was cancelled. I then designed my own workouts everyday which included speed work. I also did core workouts, bike workouts, and lifted weights to train for my cross country season. I am thankful that race directors have organized cross country meets this year despite all of the restrictions, and that our coaches have dedicated extra effort in order for us to have a season.
Nicki: In the spring and summer when I couldn't meet with my team, I was still training, racing my watch. I took a short break when track was cancelled. I then designed my own workouts everyday which included speed work. I also did core workouts, bike workouts, and lifted weights to train for my cross country season. I am thankful that race directors have organized cross country meets this year despite all of the restrictions, and that our coaches have dedicated extra effort in order for us to have a season.
ECI RUNNER: What do you enjoy doing while on training runs? Do you ever listen to music? Chat with teammates?
Nicki: On training runs, I usually chat with my teammates, depending on the difficulty of the workout. I don't ever listen to music when I am running because then I know I need to be aware of cars and other things going on around me.
Nicki: On training runs, I usually chat with my teammates, depending on the difficulty of the workout. I don't ever listen to music when I am running because then I know I need to be aware of cars and other things going on around me.
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ECI RUNNER: Do you have a favorite course you run on throughout the season? Any specific reason why?
Nicki: My favorite course to run on is the Marion course. It is a great course that is well marked and flat, so it is fast. I also liked running on it because they have a gator to follow, which makes it easier so you know where you are going. Another one of my favorite courses so far has been the Flashrock course at Northview Church. I like this course because I have had a lot of success on it in the past, since they also host middle school state. The finish is downhill, which provides for a fast finish. |
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ECI RUNNER: You come from a pretty athletic, active, and supportive family. What are some lessons you have learned from your parents or older brothers that you feel have helped you navigate so much success as only a freshman in high school?
Nicki: My parents have given me a lot of advice about running. Since my mom runs, she helps me plan workouts and gives me race guidance. Before all of my races, my dad tells me to "run fast", which is pretty good advice. Going to all my brothers' sporting events over the years, I have learned that you have to work hard to achieve success.
ECI RUNNER: Last question, always a fun one....Do have any interesting pre-race rituals or favorite pre-race meals?
Nicki: I have rubber duck socks that I wear for all of my races. The night before my races, I like to eat a light meal, which usually includes chicken and sweet potatoes. On the morning of the race, I just eat a banana.
Nicki: My parents have given me a lot of advice about running. Since my mom runs, she helps me plan workouts and gives me race guidance. Before all of my races, my dad tells me to "run fast", which is pretty good advice. Going to all my brothers' sporting events over the years, I have learned that you have to work hard to achieve success.
ECI RUNNER: Last question, always a fun one....Do have any interesting pre-race rituals or favorite pre-race meals?
Nicki: I have rubber duck socks that I wear for all of my races. The night before my races, I like to eat a light meal, which usually includes chicken and sweet potatoes. On the morning of the race, I just eat a banana.
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Tucker Burris
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ECI Runner asked Monroe Central Sophmore Tucker Burris about his breakout season this year. Burris dealt with an injury most of his Freshman XC year, but with that learning experience now behind him he has started to ascend his way up the ECI Runner individual rankings.
ECI RUNNER: What are some of your individual goals as we approach the end of the season?
Tucker: I think an individual goal for me has to be getting under a 17:30. It was my time goal for the end of the year back in the summer and that’s what I’m shooting for these last few weeks.
ECI RUNNER: When did you start running XC in school? When did you realize you might be pretty good at it?
Tucker: I started running in the fifth grade because I was too small for football and wanted to stay in shape for baseball. I realized I had some potential my sixth grade year when I went third in county, but even then I had no idea I’d be where I am today.
ECI RUNNER: You have moved quickly up the ECI rankings as only a sophomore, what did you learn from last year that has allowed you to take such a giant leap forward this season?
Tucker: Last year was a very challenging season for me because I had never dealt with a major injury before. I hated sitting on the sideline but it helped me mentally because now whenever I’m hurting on the course, I remember it could always be worse.
Tucker: I think an individual goal for me has to be getting under a 17:30. It was my time goal for the end of the year back in the summer and that’s what I’m shooting for these last few weeks.
ECI RUNNER: When did you start running XC in school? When did you realize you might be pretty good at it?
Tucker: I started running in the fifth grade because I was too small for football and wanted to stay in shape for baseball. I realized I had some potential my sixth grade year when I went third in county, but even then I had no idea I’d be where I am today.
ECI RUNNER: You have moved quickly up the ECI rankings as only a sophomore, what did you learn from last year that has allowed you to take such a giant leap forward this season?
Tucker: Last year was a very challenging season for me because I had never dealt with a major injury before. I hated sitting on the sideline but it helped me mentally because now whenever I’m hurting on the course, I remember it could always be worse.
ECI RUNNER: Cross Country training often involves a lot of different workouts and training. What are some of your favorite workouts during the XC season?
Tucker: My absolute favorite workouts are any form of interval running. Going hard and then having a break just to go even harder the next time is a challenge that I really enjoy because it takes me to my mental limit whenever I start another interval.
Tucker: My absolute favorite workouts are any form of interval running. Going hard and then having a break just to go even harder the next time is a challenge that I really enjoy because it takes me to my mental limit whenever I start another interval.
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ECI RUNNER: What is it that appeals to you about Cross Country as a sport? With how tough it is mentally and physically, what is it that you enjoy so much?
Tucker: I love cross country because it takes me to my mental limit. I love being challenged and cross country is just one giant challenge. Working hard every day and being out there with some of my best friends is something I’m very grateful I get to do. ECI RUNNER: Do you have a favorite course you run on throughout the season? Any specific reason why? Tucker: I have always loved the Randolph Southern course. It’s always had some of my fastest times and it’s a very enjoyable mix of hills and fast straightaways. |
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ECI RUNNER: What type of team goals do your Monroe Central Golden Bears have in the last few meets of this season?
TUCKER: The big goal for my team this year has to be getting the first sectional title in team history. There have been a lot of talented teams that Coach Braun has coached that didn’t win it so I think it’d be awesome for us to give him his first Sectional Championship. |
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ECI RUNNER: Last question, always a fun one....Do have any interesting pre-race rituals or favorite pre-race meals?
Tucker: Every night before a race I eat 5 Chips Ahoy cookies. I started eating them to calm my nerves the night before a race and so far I feel like it’s worked. My mom also started making me take a “pre race selfie” as a way to get me to lighten up and have some fun instead of being nervous and I think that really helps me come race time. |
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Matthew Mitsch
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ECI Runner was able to interview Yorktown's Matthew Mitsch. Mitsch is coming off of a special junior campaign that saw him advance to the IHSAA State Cross Country Meet, as well as lead the Tigers to a Delta Sectional Team title. ECIRunner wanted to know what he has his sights on in 2019, as he enters his Senior season.
ECI RUNNER: What are some of your individual goals heading into this season?
Matthew: Run a school record time, achieve all state, and go out with a bang that will be remembered for years to come.
ECI RUNNER: When did you start running XC in school? When did you realize you might be pretty good at it?
Matthew: I started running in 8th grade as a way to stay in shape for soccer and realized I had some potential after the very first meet where I took home a blue ribbon. I realized I could be legitimately successful after I dropped almost 20 seconds meet after meet my sophomore year.
Matthew: Run a school record time, achieve all state, and go out with a bang that will be remembered for years to come.
ECI RUNNER: When did you start running XC in school? When did you realize you might be pretty good at it?
Matthew: I started running in 8th grade as a way to stay in shape for soccer and realized I had some potential after the very first meet where I took home a blue ribbon. I realized I could be legitimately successful after I dropped almost 20 seconds meet after meet my sophomore year.
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ECI RUNNER: Your Yorktown team took home the Sectional title in XC last season. What did that mean to you and your teammates?
Matthew: It meant the world to everybody, to just shatter a 20 year drought really capped off one amazing season that I’m sure no one on that team will forget. I’m just happy that my good friends and I are immortalized in the record books. |
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ECI RUNNER: Cross Country training often involves a lot of different workouts and training. What are some of your favorite workouts during the XC season?
Matthew: My all time favorite workout is the threshold in a local neighborhood but a close second is Paavo intervals. I enjoy both so much because it’s a long drawn out effort that really tests you mentally and physically.
ECI RUNNER: Do you have a favorite course you run on throughout the season? Any specific reason why?
Matthew: The New Haven course is the golden standard in my opinion. The general area combined with the trail running and hills makes the ultimate racing adventure. My PR was also ran there, which definitely helps.
Matthew: My all time favorite workout is the threshold in a local neighborhood but a close second is Paavo intervals. I enjoy both so much because it’s a long drawn out effort that really tests you mentally and physically.
ECI RUNNER: Do you have a favorite course you run on throughout the season? Any specific reason why?
Matthew: The New Haven course is the golden standard in my opinion. The general area combined with the trail running and hills makes the ultimate racing adventure. My PR was also ran there, which definitely helps.
ECI RUNNER: A year ago you qualified for the IHSAA State Meet in Cross Country. What did you take from that experience of running in Terre Haute against the best individuals in the state?
Matthew: That experience opened my eyes to just how much better I can get, seeing 49 guys beat me made me want to work harder than I ever have before. I went into that off season with the goal of outworking each and every person in front of me.
Matthew: That experience opened my eyes to just how much better I can get, seeing 49 guys beat me made me want to work harder than I ever have before. I went into that off season with the goal of outworking each and every person in front of me.
ECI RUNNER: Last question, always a fun one....Do have any interesting pre-race rituals or favorite pre-race meals?
Matthew: I will always wear a specific pair of underwear the day of any hard running effort. I enjoy carb loading on my mom’s whole wheat spaghetti 2 days before a race and eating a questionable amount of fruit, pineapple being the best.
Matthew: I will always wear a specific pair of underwear the day of any hard running effort. I enjoy carb loading on my mom’s whole wheat spaghetti 2 days before a race and eating a questionable amount of fruit, pineapple being the best.
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ISAIAH BENNETT
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ECI Runner was able to interview Muncie Central's Isaiah Bennett as the Bearcat embarks on his Junior season. Bennett has accomplished a lot already in his Cross Country career, including helping the Bearcats capture last season's Delta Sectional title. We wanted to know what goals he had for the 2018 campaign and how he planned on accomplishing them.
ECI RUNNER: What are some of your individual goals heading into this season?
Isaiah: To help/contribute to my team winning Sectionals and to run in the 16’s.
ECI RUNNER: When did you start running XC in school? When did you realize you might be pretty good at it?
Isaiah: I started running my sophomore year and I realized that I had some potential during the Bearcat Invite that year.
ECI RUNNER: Your Muncie Central team took home the Sectional title last season. What did that mean to you and your teammates?
Isaiah: Winning Sectionals really boosted our confidence as a team and encouraged us to work harder.
ECI RUNNER: Cross Country training often involves a lot of different workouts and training. What are some of your favorite workouts during the XC season?
Isaiah: One of my favorite workouts is the Mcculloch hill workouts. I love to do the hill sprints at the end because it really strengthens and challenges me.
Isaiah: To help/contribute to my team winning Sectionals and to run in the 16’s.
ECI RUNNER: When did you start running XC in school? When did you realize you might be pretty good at it?
Isaiah: I started running my sophomore year and I realized that I had some potential during the Bearcat Invite that year.
ECI RUNNER: Your Muncie Central team took home the Sectional title last season. What did that mean to you and your teammates?
Isaiah: Winning Sectionals really boosted our confidence as a team and encouraged us to work harder.
ECI RUNNER: Cross Country training often involves a lot of different workouts and training. What are some of your favorite workouts during the XC season?
Isaiah: One of my favorite workouts is the Mcculloch hill workouts. I love to do the hill sprints at the end because it really strengthens and challenges me.
ECI RUNNER: Do you have a favorite course you run on throughout the season? Any specific reason why?
Isaiah: My favorite course is the Sportsplex because it is our home course and there is no place like home.
Isaiah: My favorite course is the Sportsplex because it is our home course and there is no place like home.
ECI RUNNER: You also enjoyed a great Track season this past Spring. Those 2 sports are similar, but also very different in a lot of ways. What is one thing you enjoy about each of them?
Isaiah: I enjoy track because it consists of a variety of events and relays that recognizes the efforts of the team. Cross country also strengthens and challenges the group, while making us stronger with endurance.
ECI RUNNER: Last question, always a fun one....Do have any interesting pre-race rituals or favorite pre-race meals?
Isaiah: I stretch and sometimes ice the night before every meet. Also, I like to listen to Jazz music before the race. My favorite meal the night before is bow tie pasta because it make me feel “fancy.”
Isaiah: I enjoy track because it consists of a variety of events and relays that recognizes the efforts of the team. Cross country also strengthens and challenges the group, while making us stronger with endurance.
ECI RUNNER: Last question, always a fun one....Do have any interesting pre-race rituals or favorite pre-race meals?
Isaiah: I stretch and sometimes ice the night before every meet. Also, I like to listen to Jazz music before the race. My favorite meal the night before is bow tie pasta because it make me feel “fancy.”
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ECIRunner: You have been making huge improvements as a runner over the last 2 years. What do you attribute that success and improvement to?
Britton: I attribute it to my teammates and coach for helping me push myself to the limits everyday in practice and at the meets as well. Also to Forest Ridge and their physical therapy staff to help keep me healthy and work through my injures.
ECIRunner: What are a couple of the meets you are most looking forward to this year? and Why?
Britton: The Delta Eagle meet, Conference (Hoosier Heritage Conference Meet), and Sectionals. Because Delta and Conference meets are both great courses to get a PR on. I am looking forward to Sectionals because I believe I have a chance to possibly win.
ECIRunner: Cross Country training often involves a lot of different workouts and training. What are some of your favorite workouts during the XC season?
Britton: My favorite workout is the 400 repeats that Coach Kennedy has us do 3 times during the season. It helps me believe that I do have speed even in long distance races.
ECIRunner: You take a different path than most ECI teams when the tournament rolls around. Who are some of your/your teams biggest competition at the Connersville Sectional?
Britton: Hagerstown is my biggest competition with Kaleb Slagel and Logan Tuttle being a pretty tough 2 to beat.
ECIRunner: When did you know you wanted to be a Cross Country athlete? What is it about this sport that has appealed to you?
Britton: I knew I wanted to be a cross country athlete when my dad told me about how he used to run Track and Cross Country in his high school days.
Britton: My favorite workout is the 400 repeats that Coach Kennedy has us do 3 times during the season. It helps me believe that I do have speed even in long distance races.
ECIRunner: You take a different path than most ECI teams when the tournament rolls around. Who are some of your/your teams biggest competition at the Connersville Sectional?
Britton: Hagerstown is my biggest competition with Kaleb Slagel and Logan Tuttle being a pretty tough 2 to beat.
ECIRunner: When did you know you wanted to be a Cross Country athlete? What is it about this sport that has appealed to you?
Britton: I knew I wanted to be a cross country athlete when my dad told me about how he used to run Track and Cross Country in his high school days.
ECIRunner: Last question, always a fun one....Do have any interesting pre-race rituals or favorite pre-race meals?
Britton: I listen to my playlist that was made specifically for my warmup to get pumped up
Britton: I listen to my playlist that was made specifically for my warmup to get pumped up
PAST ECIRunner Interviews:
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Leah Keesling
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ECI Runner had a chance to interview Randolph Southern High School Sophomore Leah Keesling. Leah bursted on to the ECI scene a year ago as a Freshman and has only continued to improve since then. We asked her about the experience of advancing to the IHSAA State Meet in Track as well as her goals heading into this year.
ECIRunner: What are some of your individual goals this season?
Leah: A lot of my goals I’m not really sure about yet; I will figure out more of them as the season goes on. One of my goals I do know is that I want to make it to State this year and be competitive at Semi-State. I think it would also be cool to get into the low 18 minute times for a 5k. Even though this is not about me, I also think it would be awesome if my sister Emma would get to got to State with me!
ECIRunner: Advancing to the IHSAA State Meet last year in track as an individual had to be one of the best moments in your running career. What did that moment mean to you and how did the State Meet experience influence you coming into the 2017 Cross Country Season?
Leah: Going to State in track, was overall a fun and unique experience for me. It was also a time that reminded me of all that the Lord has done for me and that He should be glorified. Going to State really didn’t influence me coming into XC season though. I mean it probably prepared me some for running in bigger crowds and with more competition. I have also probably gotten faster over track season, but track and XC are so different that I don’t really think it influenced me that much.
ECIRunner: What are a couple of the meets you are most looking forward to this year? and Why?
Leah: I am really looking forward to the Marion Inv at IWU because it is an exciting course and a big meet with lots of competition. It was one of my favorite races last year. Also at this race I broke 20 minutes for the first time. It is also just a big fun meet altogether. Another race I am looking forward to is the Flash Rock Inv at Northview Church in Indy. This course is also very fun to run on, a very fast course, and very competitive. I ran on it once for Junior High State, but this will be the first time that I race on it in High School. Another race I am looking forward to is Semi-State at Fort Wayne. I ran it last year and I really liked it because there was lots of people and competition, and it was a fun and fast course. I also had a lot of fun in the time surrounding Semi-State because my team and I went there the night before and went out to eat at a really yummy pasta place.
ECIRunner: Your team seems to be a very close-knit group, and you also have your older sister on the team with you. What does that kind of support mean to you throughout a long XC season?
Leah: I love and care for the XC team so much! Each person is wonderfully unique and adds a great part to our team! My sister is one of my very best friends, so it is great to be with her on the XC team! Because we are all so close, it is very encouraging to be around them and be on a team with them and have them cheer me on. They aren’t exactly like my family, but they are kind of like a “school family”. This support makes me feel welcome and it also makes the XC season feel more fun than just a normal sport (we have so many stories!).
ECIRunner: With the success that you had last season, How has your training changed (if at all) from a year ago?
Leah: The distances of the runs and workouts haven’t increased very much, but the speed that I am supposed to run the workouts and long runs I do has gotten faster.
ECIRunner: What are some of your individual goals this season?
Leah: A lot of my goals I’m not really sure about yet; I will figure out more of them as the season goes on. One of my goals I do know is that I want to make it to State this year and be competitive at Semi-State. I think it would also be cool to get into the low 18 minute times for a 5k. Even though this is not about me, I also think it would be awesome if my sister Emma would get to got to State with me!
ECIRunner: Advancing to the IHSAA State Meet last year in track as an individual had to be one of the best moments in your running career. What did that moment mean to you and how did the State Meet experience influence you coming into the 2017 Cross Country Season?
Leah: Going to State in track, was overall a fun and unique experience for me. It was also a time that reminded me of all that the Lord has done for me and that He should be glorified. Going to State really didn’t influence me coming into XC season though. I mean it probably prepared me some for running in bigger crowds and with more competition. I have also probably gotten faster over track season, but track and XC are so different that I don’t really think it influenced me that much.
ECIRunner: What are a couple of the meets you are most looking forward to this year? and Why?
Leah: I am really looking forward to the Marion Inv at IWU because it is an exciting course and a big meet with lots of competition. It was one of my favorite races last year. Also at this race I broke 20 minutes for the first time. It is also just a big fun meet altogether. Another race I am looking forward to is the Flash Rock Inv at Northview Church in Indy. This course is also very fun to run on, a very fast course, and very competitive. I ran on it once for Junior High State, but this will be the first time that I race on it in High School. Another race I am looking forward to is Semi-State at Fort Wayne. I ran it last year and I really liked it because there was lots of people and competition, and it was a fun and fast course. I also had a lot of fun in the time surrounding Semi-State because my team and I went there the night before and went out to eat at a really yummy pasta place.
ECIRunner: Your team seems to be a very close-knit group, and you also have your older sister on the team with you. What does that kind of support mean to you throughout a long XC season?
Leah: I love and care for the XC team so much! Each person is wonderfully unique and adds a great part to our team! My sister is one of my very best friends, so it is great to be with her on the XC team! Because we are all so close, it is very encouraging to be around them and be on a team with them and have them cheer me on. They aren’t exactly like my family, but they are kind of like a “school family”. This support makes me feel welcome and it also makes the XC season feel more fun than just a normal sport (we have so many stories!).
ECIRunner: With the success that you had last season, How has your training changed (if at all) from a year ago?
Leah: The distances of the runs and workouts haven’t increased very much, but the speed that I am supposed to run the workouts and long runs I do has gotten faster.
