Freshmen Max Gordon is off to a strong start with the cross-country team. After making major leaps as a 7th and 8th grader at the middle school, he is now with the big club and competing for a spot among the top 5 runners that will make up the scoring for the boys’ team.
Gordon began running for fun with family and friends prior to joining the distance team in middle school. Things started to come together for him as a 7th grader. As with many of the competitive runners on the varsity rosters this year, that seems to be a common beginning. The program as WMS finds the right kids who are willing to put in extensive training and have the mental toughness to keep it going. Gordon has both – and the times and results have continued to improve as he’s moved along within the program.
I had a chance to catch up with Max and ask him a few questions.
*Our distance program ranges from the 800 in spring track to the longer races in fall cross country, which are 5k’s. What is your favorite distance to compete?
Gordon: “My favorite distance is 5k (3.2 Mite) that we run in fall cross country.”
*Outside of the miles the team puts in training, what do you feel is the second most important aspect of training?
Gordon: “I feel that cross country’s time in the weight room is vital in having a successful team and preventing injuries. Weight training can help strengthen the muscles that you put a lot of pressure on during running. Running without weight training is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious injuries.”
*Do you have any pre-race rituals?
Gordon: “My only real pre-race ritual is taking deep breaths before the gun goes off and trying to get into the right mindset at the starting line.”
*Did you expect this type of success so early in your high school career?
Gordon: “I am very grateful to be a freshman on varsity because of the experience I get and the valuable lessons I learn from the varsity guys. I think that so many underclassmen and juniors on varsity have inspired the younger guys to work hard at practice and during the off season because they know the team has a bright future.”
*Any individual goals for this season?
Gordon: “My goals for the season is to break the Westside freshman record of 17:21 and for the team to make State. Another goal is to place in the top 25 at Metros. ”
Gordon currently has the 4th fastest time on the boys’ team this season. The rest of the way the varsity rosters will carry 7 runners.
Next Meet up for the boys and girts teams will be the end of season Metro Conference meet, Thursday Oct 9th. The races begin with the boys at 9:00 out at Papio South.
