The cross-country season may be over for most runners in the state, but for three Connecticut harriers there is still one more race left. Staples High standout Hannah DeBalsi, Brien McMahon's Eric van der Els and Glastonbury's Gabriel Altopp will be at San Diego's Balboa Park this Saturday for the Foot Locker Nationals. It will be DeBalsi's third straight appearance and the first time for van der Els and Altopp.
MileSplit caught up with Gabe before he embarked on his flight out west. Here's what he had to say about Foot Locker (and a little more).
MileSplit CT: First of all, congratulations on your ninth-place finish at the Foot Locker Northeast Regionals, a placement that earned you a spot at this week's nationals in San Diego. How does it feel to be going to the Nationals and competing against the best runners in the country? Also, how does it feel to be making the trip with two other Connecticut runners, Staples' Hannah DeBalsi and Brien McMahon's Eric van der Els?
Gabe: It feels great getting the chance to come out to San Diego and race against some of the best athletes in the country. Being able to qualify with Eric van der Els and Hannah Debalsi was an added bonus.
MileSplit CT: Speaking of Eric, you finished as a runner-up to him at the divisional and State Open meets and then beat him at the New England Championships where you placed second to La Salle Academy's D.J. Principe. Talk about that rivalry. It certainly seems to bring out the best in both of you.
Gabe: Eric and I have been friendly rivals since the both of us started racing each other in freshman year. The rivalry has only grown though as we've both improved as runners. At the state meets and at New Englands, it's been awesome having Eric to run with. Although I didn't have enough to beat him at State Class and State Opens, he and I were able to push each other at New Englands, where I had just that much more left in the tank at the finish.
MileSplit CT: At the regional meet, did you follow your race plan to perfection or did you have to alter it during the race. What is your goal for the Nationals? What would you consider a successful race?
Gabe: At the regional race I met my goal to qualify. My plan was to go out fast and take it easy in the backwoods. We ended up running the first mile in 4:40, and from there I just tried to stay up close with the front pack. My goal for Nationals is to get top 25. At this point not much is riding on this race, but it would be nice to complete my last cross country season with a strong finish.
MileSplit CT: You have enjoyed some success the last few years, particularly on the cross-country trails. You were ninth at the State Open as a sophomore and last year at the New England meet you were fourth overall? What is it about cross country that gets you going, that has you perform at a high level?
MileSplit CT: After the meet do you plan to take some time off? What's your goals for the upcoming indoor track season?
I plan on qualifying for New Balance early in the season, taking a couple weeks off, and then holding off on racing until New Balance.