1) What sports did you play before high school? How did you get into running? What were your track PRs in 8th grade?
Before High School in Middle School I played Soccer, Basketball, and Baseball. I didn’t start running seriously until the end of my 8th-grade year, and I quit all other sports in my freshman year to pursue running. I got into running because it was the only sport that started in summer for my Middle School, and a friend got me to come out for it, and I fell in love with the sport. My 8th-grade track PRs were 1:58 in the 800 and 4:34 in the full mile, both at Nike Outdoor Nationals.
2) How did you end up at Jesuit and did you know about their distance success?
I ended up at Jesuit because of that same friend that I knew in 8th grade. I wanted to run very fast in High School, and it came down to McClatchy and Jesuit. I ultimately decided to go to Jesuit because I knew more people were going there and because the running program had been so successful. I wouldn’t have changed a thing!
3) What were your highlights during your freshman year in cross country and track and field? Who were the older runners on the team that helped your transition to high school running?
During my freshman year of Cross Country, I sprained my ankle twice and sadly missed most of the season, but my biggest highlight that year was cheering on the guys at state. During track, my biggest highlights freshman year were winning meets like the Delta League champs and relays like the Stanford Invite DMR with my teammates. The teammates who helped me on the team were a senior named Jonah Reynolds and a Sophomore at the time, Isaac Abbott. (Photo below from 2024 Stanford Invite)
4) What about your sophomore year? What do you feel were your best races and proudest accomplishments?
My proudest moment during cross country, my sophomore year, was being the 5th man at state and helping the program win the 10th State Title in Jesuit History and make it to NXN for the first time in many years. During Track, my biggest and proudest moments were definitely earning many Meet Records and competing at the highest levels. I think getting the meet record at Masters and getting 2nd at state as a sophomore were the biggest moments for me. (West Coast XC photo from 2025)
5) For the past two years, Jesuit has had the best CA cross country team and qualified for NXN. What was that experience like racing at NXN?
Racing in NXN is definitely a challenge. Just racing in spikes for the first time the whole season at NXN can hurt you a lot, but the team is excited and already talking about making it again next year.
6) You had two outstanding efforts with the Stanford 1600 and Mt. SAC 800. What do you think led to those performances and what did you learn from both those efforts?
I think the biggest thing that led to those wins are the guys I have around me, they push me everyday if it is in an easy run or a workout. We all better each other and I think it is the best part about our team. I think another thing individually that led to those is knowing my body and knowing when to take it. I trusted myself and took it when it was right. Arcadia was upsetting because I waited for someone else to take it but both Stanford and Mt. Sac I took it when I knew it was right.
7) What does a typical week look like for you training wise? About how many miles a week? Length of longest run? Typical workouts? Morning runs?
A good training week for me on a non race week will be about 3 easy run days and 3 workout days. I always take Sunday off as a day of rest so I only run 6 days a week and I do anywhere from 30-35 mile weeks if it’s a race week or not. A good Coach Lange workout will be doing anywhere from a 10-20 min tempo and then heading back to the track for some intervals.
8) You coach Walt Lange has been at Jesuit over 50 years? What have you learned from him? What makes him a great coach?
I think the biggest thing is that Coach Lange knows what he’s doing. He’s really good about figuring out what works for us and repeating it. If it worked last year we’ll do it this year so he knows what works and keeps it going. The best thing is he really cares about running and has always been all in on it so he spends all his time on us.
9) Favorite cross country course? Favorite cross country invitational? Favorite long run? Favorite cross country workout? Favorite track event? Favorite track invitational? Favorite track workout? Favorite free time activity?
My favorite XC course has always been the State Course, I’ve been able to do the most damage on that course and the environment is always the best. My favorite Invitational is Woodbridge, I loved the flat course and it definitely suits me a little bit better. Favorite LR is definitely during Cross country when me and the guys get in cars and drive out to spots that we only go to once or twice a year. My favorite track event is the 800 but I love when I'm able to run a fast mile it’s always exciting. Favorite Track Invite has been Mt. Sac this year, finally being able to break that barrier and win the DMR with my team was special. My favorite track workout is always 8x400 or if it’s 300s and 200s, I always love being able to duke out a last rep of a workout with my teammates. My favorite thing to do when I'm not running is playing golf with my friends or going on day trips and finding new places to visit.
The biggest thing that’s left in my season is trying to win big meets like the Masters and the State meet, also getting into big meets like the Brooks and the Hoka Festival of Miles. Not sure how many more opportunities I get to PR in the mile, so when I get the chance, I will definitely take it. (Valerie Depeel photo to the left).
11) What is your advice for a young, talented middle schooler or 9th grader who has aspirations of being an elite runner?
I think the biggest thing is it’s easy to get unmotivated, but when you have big dreams and aspirations of being something big that conquers the fact you get unmotivated. It’s hard to get up some days to run and sometimes you just don't want to but when you find that right group to run with and you find that motivation you’ll want to get better and better and train even harder. I’m not afraid to say my motivation is all on the State meet right now, getting second at state was definitely exciting in the moment being a sophomore, but all I’ve been stuck on was getting second so getting that chance to win this year is all my minds been focused on.
12) Anything else you would like to add?
Biggest thing is just stick with it, find that motivation if you are thinking about going all in on running, I’d say definitely do it. If anyone ever has questions, you can always reach out to me.
