MileSplit Fast Four: A weekly glimpse at four of our nation's best
Each week here at MileSplit we will be giving you a quick look at four of the nation's best runners in our new feature called MileSplit Fast Four. Featured this week are Katie Flood (IA), Matt Mizereck (FL), Brooklyne Ridder (OH) and Tim Freriks (AZ).
Katie Flood
Jr., Dowling Catholic
Des Moines, Iowa
Highlights: Part of a powerful 1-2 punch at Dowling Catholic that includes teammate Ashlie Decker … One of the premier distance runners in the Midwest, Flood (Photo courtesy of Fr. Jim Kirby), who finished eighth at FL Nationals a year ago, has continued to excel despite battling early season knee problems due to a growth spurt … Won the Roy Griak Invitational (18:22) for the second consecutive year … Set a course record in winning the Urbandale Invitational (4k) in 13:42 … Won state titles in track and cross country as a freshman and sophomore.
Coach (Fr. Jim Kirby) says: “Katie is just a flat out great competitor. She’s really a courageous runner. Through this whole growth spurt thing, maybe temporarily her quickness has been challenged, but her competitiveness or her intensity hasn’t diminished at all. If anything it’s even greater. She really wants to excel.”
Flood says: “[The season] has gone by really fast. We’ve only run about five meets, but things have been good so far. I was having a little knee trouble earlier, but I feel good now and am ready for states. I’m hoping just to improve the rest of the season and better my times.”
Summer mileage (max): 40
Weekly mileage: 55
Training shoes: Asics GT 2130
Pre-race meal: Bagel and apples
Favorite web site: AOL mail
Matt Mizereck
Jr., Leon H.S.
Tallahassee, FL
Highlights: Mizereck (Photo courtesy of Joe Mizereck) won the Florida Pre-State Meet with a course record 15:17 … Ran a PR of 15:06 at Bale-n-Trail, finishing first … Finished second to teammate Will Stanford at the Lincoln Invitational … Won the individual 3A Florida State title as a sophomore with a time of 15:30, helping Leon capture the team crown … Last spring he ran a PR of 9:28 for 3200 meters at the outdoor state finals, finishing third.
Coach (Andrew Wills) says: “Matt’s a very talented kid, but he works hard and has good teammates that really push him in practice. He does whatever it takes to get better. He’s got a natural ability to run smart. He paces himself well in races.”
Mizereck says: “My usually strategy is to sit on the pace and let others do the work. Then when you’ve got the advantage, take it and hold on to the end. I don’t like to lose. I’m always pushing myself to the limits, so I can accomplish the goals that I set out for myself. I try to do everything in my power to make sure I win the race.”
Summer mileage (max): 80-85
Weekly mileage: 60
Training shoes: Mizuno Wave Ascend 3 or Asics Gel 3000
Race day superstitions: Envisions himself winning.
Hobbies: Guitar hero, football, basketball
Favorite athlete: Steve Prefontaine