1) How did you first get involved in cross country, and what made you stick with it?
I first got involved in cross country right after middle school. I had quit soccer after playing competitively for almost 8 years, and I wanted to see how running would go because of my success in my soccer team’s three-mile time trial. I had a great time from the start and really enjoyed the team and practice, but I really think that my first Lowell - when my freshman team won the race - was what really kickstarted my love for running.
2) What do you remember about your first cross country race?
I honestly remember the atmosphere, cheering, and adrenaline the most. The nerves on the drive up, the music I played to try to “lock in” for my first race. It was honestly exhilarating, and I really think that from the moment I crossed the finish line, I knew this sport was the right one for me.
3) When did you first realize that you could become a really good runner?
I think the moment I realized that I could be fast was my first time trial with MVXC. I raced a two-mile on the track and managed to win my heat in a time of 11:26. Although it was not as fast as it felt at the time, it gave me the confidence that I could (in theory) become a really great runner.
4) What is something about you that people on other teams probably don’t know?
Honestly, I guess that I try not to be too serious at practice, always have fun, and really enjoy the time I am spending with my team.
5) What do you think has been the biggest difference between you as a freshman and you as a senior?
The biggest difference between me as a freshman and me as a senior is my mental attitude towards running. Throughout my sophomore year especially, I felt as if I was never going to have a setback, and after my stress fracture early in my junior year, I learned a lot about how to better approach the sport. I am now significantly more conscious of recovery, and I am also able to make the distinction between perfection and progress. This, I think, has served me well throughout my training, where I try to be as good as I can, not perfect.
6) Was there a particular race or workout where you felt like you made a breakthrough?
The biggest breakthrough for me was SCVAL #2 2024. I placed third in the race, behind Aydon Stefanopoulos and Dominic McMahon, but was able to beat a lot of runners I had previously only dreamed of beating. Running that 15:35 and finishing 1st for my team gave me the confidence that I could compete with the best runners in my league and section.
7) Who has had the biggest influence on you as a runner?
For sure, the people who have had the biggest influence on me as a runner have been my teammates. For me, it was the seniors on the team last year who really inspired me to work hard and brought me into the team. Whether it was morning runs before school or pushing through hard workouts, I always looked up to them not just as role models but as best friends, which kept team-oriented goals front and center in my mind.
8) What is the hardest workout you’ve ever done—and what made it so difficult?
The hardest workout I’ve done would be any hill time trial we do over the summer and winter. It is always so hard to mentally prepare yourself to go all-out up a steep hill, and it is extremely painful throughout. However, I think it prepares us to be really tough mentally, and the feeling when you finish is always awesome.
9) What part of your training do you actually enjoy the most?
I love working out the most. I think threshold and tempo work have been the most enjoyable practices for me. They remove some of the repetitiveness of easy running and truly allow you to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, as Coach Hubbs always says. I think this type of running is my strong suit, and for some reason, I always feel like the best version of myself when we do these workouts.
10) What’s one weakness in your running that you’ve worked especially hard to improve?
As a freshman, I had almost no speed. An all-out 200 for me meant running a 33, not a 27. However, since my freshman year, I have really tried to focus on proper mechanics when I run fast. Now I feel like my speed is where I want it to be. Not amazing, but good enough for me.
11) What does being a senior mean to you this season?
To me, it means it’s not only my last chance to represent my high school, but also the last time I get to toe the line with my teammates, who have made my high school experience what it is. It also makes me think about how lucky I am to have been part of such an amazing team for my four years of high school.
12) What are your goals for your final high school cross country season?
Team-wise, Mountain View is looking to make its first NXN appearance this year. Individually, all I want to do is contribute to that effort. Obviously, a sub-15:00 on both Crystal and Woodward would be amazing, but those aren’t as important to me as winning a team state title and being able to compete at NXN.
13) Is there a particular race on the schedule that you’re especially excited about?
I am most excited for the postseason (CCS + State). We have big goals, and I am super excited to get the opportunity to accomplish them while competing against the rest of California.
14) What would make you look back at your senior season and say, “That was a great year”?
Honestly, accomplishing my goals with the team this season would be the number one thing on my list. Since I know I will be running for another 4 years, I want to finish my Mountain View career with no regrets.
15) How much do you think about times and places versus simply racing well?
I always believe in the idea that if you give your best on a specific day, the time and place don’t matter. I always try to focus on the plan, execute it, and be competitive, because I think focusing on time and place leaves out the process of actually racing.
I’m really proud of our team culture and work ethic, but most of all, our bond with one another. We make it a priority to have fun and become best friends, and that is what makes our team so close. It makes stepping on the line at any meet all the more special when you are surrounded by people you love and trust.
17) How would you describe the team’s personality?
Funny. I have never laughed harder in my life than on the bus rides to meets or during practices.
18) What is a typical hard workout like when everyone is really locked in?
It feels awesome. When everyone is having success during a certain workout, you can really feel it in the mood and atmosphere. The energy stays high, and it makes it all the more fun.
19) Who on the team pushes you the hardest in practice?
I would say that since freshman year, my teammate Deven Koppala has continued to push me in practice. He has been my training partner since 9th grade, and through all the hard workouts, we have learned not only to work together but also to lean on each other when it gets tough. Since we are both very competitive, our friendly rivalry has also enabled us to push each other even more.
20) Is there a teammate who has surprised you with how much they’ve improved?
It’s a difficult question because I believe everyone can find success and improve in the sport, but one teammate who comes to mind is Jack Gallienne, who already ran 15:18 in the 5k this season at Clovis. He really stepped up this season to fill a spot in our top 5, and I am super excited to see what he can do in the postseason.
21) What does the team do together outside of running?
Outside of running, I think we do as good a job as we can of meeting up outside of school. Although it’s difficult due to all the schoolwork, we have gone to a nearby mall, gone bowling, and gotten dinner together to bond.
22) How important is team chemistry when you’re lining up at a big championship race?
Extremely important. It’s what makes a team a team instead of 7 individuals. I think we do a great job in that aspect - we really are all best friends.
23) What’s your favorite type of cross country course?
I personally love mentally challenging courses, since they play to my strengths. Crystal Springs especially, since it has a very difficult last mile. I have always liked to think I am at my best when courses are difficult because I am great at pushing through the pain during the third mile.
24) What’s the best race you’ve ever run, and why?
I think the best race I have ever run was Woodbridge 2026. While the result honestly blew me away a bit, I was mostly proud of the way I handled the internal and external pressures of the race. I managed to stay composed, commit to the plan, and compete at my best for the first time since sophomore year at one of the biggest meets in the nation.
25) What’s a race that didn’t go the way you wanted but taught you something important?
During the 3200 at CCS finals last season, I wasn’t able to really race my best. I wasn’t able to be brave during the 5th lap and match a move that I should have, which led to a new PR but left me feeling disappointed with the result. However, the race helped me notice the final piece that I was still missing: bravery. Now, it’s the idea that I focus on most before and during my workouts and races.
26) What’s going through your head during the final mile of a close race?
Competing and trying to catch every person that I can. Especially at championship meets, thinking about my teammates always helps me find the motivation to go hunting, even when it hurts.
27) Are you a runner who likes to lead, sit back and chase, or race tactically?
I honestly prefer to sit back and chase during races. I struggle with tactical races since I am not a speed-based runner, so getting to test myself aerobically is always when I do best. This year, Woodbridge felt like one of those races where I was constantly chasing the next person ahead of me, and I think that inspired me to run fast.
In Northern California, schools like Granada, Vacaville, Jesuit, and Campolindo are always great and super strong every year. It’s going to be exciting to see who can be the top NorCal team at the state meet.
29) What has cross country taught you that has nothing to do with running?
I think cross country has taught me patience. When you continue to train while the results you want aren’t showing up, it teaches you to trust the process and be patient, as the results will come.
30) What do you think people who don’t run misunderstand about the sport?
I think people misunderstand how much of a team sport cross country is. People assume it’s all about your own individual performance, but I personally have felt it’s the complete opposite; being able to contribute to your team is the best feeling - especially when the team succeeds.
31) What advice would you give a freshman who wants to become a varsity runner?
Sleep well, fuel well, and buy into the training. I would also tell them to trust their coach and believe in the team vision and goals.
32) If you could go back and talk to your freshman-year self, what would you tell him?
To trust the training, enjoy running, and have as much fun as possible.
33) What is the hardest thing about being a good distance runner that most people don’t see?
I think a lot of people don’t see the mental aspect of racing and training. For me, I have struggled a lot with pre-race nerves, to the point that I was constantly throwing up before races. Having now overcome it through weeks of mental preparation and working with a performance coach, I have realized it really is a huge obstacle that everyone has to face at some point in their running journey.
34) When you’re hurting badly in a race, what do you tell yourself?
That it’s all going to be worth it when I cross the finish line. For me, focusing on what I will feel when I cross the line is the motivation that I need to keep going. It is always best to race with no regrets.
35) What’s something you’ve learned from running that you’ll carry with you long after high school?
I’ve learned to trust the process and the journey, and to appreciate the steps that take me to a goal more than the goal itself.
36) When you think about your last race in a Mountain View uniform, what do you hope you’ll remember?
I hope to remember all the good runs with my teammates, all the laughs, and the work that it took to get to where I was. I would want to focus on making my final race as fun and rewarding as I could - but at the same time, leave nothing on the course.
37) You have recently committed to Johns Hopkins University. What led you to make that decision?
Hopkins has an amazing running culture, which I felt mirrored a lot of the things I love at Mountain View right now. At the same time, the school is amazing academically, and I am excited to keep pushing myself there in school and in running.
Thank you very much for your time, Yuval. AJC.
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