John Dressel was 14th last year at Foot Locker. He is ready to go this year! (Photo by Margot Kelly)
MileSplit - How is your fitness as you begin the 2013 season. What excites you most about the coming year of HS XC?
John - My fitness right now is fantastic. Throughout the summer I've been the most diligent that I have ever been. Meaning that I've stayed healthy and have been working on my general strength a lot more than the last two years. I'm feeling strong and fit but not over the top. I feel fresh as well and know that I'm in a program where I'm not over training. I think what excites me most about this coming year for high school cross country is how much stronger I individually feel. How much talent my high school's cross country team has, and to become more excited again for these big races. As well as experience improvement and reach for the goals that I have this season.
MileSplit - After a 14th place finish at Foot Locker last year and a 9:02 2 mile this spring, what are your plans for this season?
John - After my performances through out my sophomore year with cross country and track, it has definitely opened my mind about things for my junior year. I placed 2nd last year in the WIAA State Cross Country Championships, making myself believe that I have another shot this year to go for that state title. Because of my top 10 finish at Footlocker West Regionals and becoming an All-American at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships, I think I'm as capable as anyone else to be in the hunt for some titles. This year is going to be tough, and I realize that there are guys that have some great performances under their belt too, but it has created that desire within me that much more.
MileSplit - Have any other Foot Locker finalists reached out to you in the past year to offer support and encouragement? If so, who and what did they say?
John - I talked to Sean McGorty after my race at New Balance Outdoor Nationals, and we didn't talk much other then that I congratulated him on his performance. He was curious to know how I placed and I wasn't sure until the official announced that I was 6th, but he and I both chuckled when he pointed out that he enjoyed reading my tweets that I post from Twitter. He found them amusing. Now, whether if he still feels that way or not about my tweets, that's an unknown haha. I keep in touch with Quintin Mckinnish quite a bit, and we both share some uplifting words to each other. Ask how each other is doing. Aaron Templeton talked to me briefly this summer and we talked about how training was going. Same goes for Nicholas Elswick and Kyle Kroon.
MileSplit - When & how did you get started in cross country?
John - I played soccer my whole life before I found interest in running in the 7th grade. I only did track that year but the following year, during the 8th grade I pursued interests in cross country and track. I got hooked on the sports, because I realized the potential I had in the near future. Especially looking back on performances and times that I was hitting in middle school.
MileSplit - Person/people most influential to your success in cross country and why?
John - I look on the Greater Spokane League, and runners from the state of Washington, and have picked a few that stood out to me and influenced me through out my high school running career so far. Nathan Weitz, Andrew Gardner, and Anthony Armstrong were guys that influenced me and still do till this day. I see the success that the Oregon Project has created, and that has influenced me as well. Specifically Galen Rupp. I idolize him, and have to say he comes out on top of my favorites. But my competition has influenced me to work hard for what I want, and I use that to my advantage as well.
MileSplit - Who has influenced you the most so far in your life and what they mean to you and your success?
John - My friends and family have influenced me the most so far in my life. They mean so much to me because of all the support they share, and without that, it would have definitely made it so much harder to become the person that I am today. My dad has coached me all my life, and I am grateful for his wisdom with training. My entire family that has provided me everything to reach the success that I have obtained and then some.
MileSplit - What are the keys to your successful cross country training program?
John - The keys to our successful cross country program is like any other program. I mean there are things differently that we apply but if you put in the solid work, you have a dream for what you want to obtain, the results will work their way out. I think swimming has played a good factor in my training. General strength throughout the week has helped tremendously as well. Strengthening my core day by day. Just doing the little things too has made me become successful thus far. Knowing when to add certain workouts at certain parts during the off season and in the season as well.
MileSplit - What are the keys to your team's unity and how you train to reach your goals?
John - I just know what I truly want with my running career and I have this desire to reach my goals, and to be amongst the elite runners in this nation. I look up to the professionals as well, and what college racing is like, and to have all that would be a dream come true. I just really want to achieve what I want with my running career, as well as academics too. I want to be a successful person in life. But for our team unity, just being a role model for the younger runners and to have the positive leadership is crucial for any great team.
MileSplit - Your favorite past performance in a cross country race and why?
John - My favorite past performance in a cross country race has to definitely be Foot Locker Cross Country Championships in San Diego. I remember sitting down with my dad at a local mexican restaurant during my freshman track season, and I informed him that I wanted to try and compete with the best at Foot Locker Nationals. I imagined how sweet it would be to get that experience. Being only one of the two sophomores there at nationals and placing as well as I did for my age has carried with me through out my training, and with races as well.
MileSplit - Who are the cross country competitors you most enjoy competing against and why?
John - I enjoy competing with a friend of mine, Tanner Anderson the most. He attends North Central high school here in Spokane and is in the same class as me. He's ran successfully as well and has hit some amazing times. He's helped me along the way, getting me to where I am now by pushing me most in races. Once a race is done with, we congratulate each others performances and aren't foes at all. It's nice to have that friendship with someone that's the same age as you, has had the same success, and has that mindset of being the best that he can be too.
MileSplit - What is your greatest non-running experience in cross country so far and why?
John - Besides running, I think the greatest experiences I have had in cross country are being with my closest friends/teammates and enjoying ourselves at invites that are out of town. Or having spaghetti feeds at someones house and being together that way too. Just hanging out and having a good time. Although, another most memorable non-running experience in cross country training, is traveling to Eugene, Oregon. This summer a few of the top 7 and I experienced the town itself, as well as University of Oregon's campus. We also had the opportunity to meet Bill Dellinger, which will be a memory of mine forever.
MileSplit - What are your goals for the 2013 cross country season?
John - My goal for this season is to compete at state with all my heart. To see where that leads me too, because I want that state title just as bad as anyone else. To qualify for Foot Locker Nationals, to give a shot at that title as well. Ever since Andrew Gardner and Nathan Weitz ran at that Scotland International Buppa cross country race, I've wanted to obtain that same experience. Junior Worlds for cross country? We will see. Time can only tell. The main focus is to stay healthy, not get tired. Eat right and to get some good sleep each night, as much as possible.
MileSplit - Do you have any long-term goals in running?
John - My long term goals is to achieve a running scholarship to a fantastic school with a fantastic long distance running program with great academics. I want to pursue that post collegiate experience with running as well and see how far my abilities in the sport can take me, and you know, working for Nike would be a plus too haha.
MileSplit - What was your favorite performance from the 2013 World Champs?
John - My favorite performance's from the 2013 World Championships was Nick Symmonds performance in the 800m run, double gold for Mo Farah, and Mathew Centrowitz's run in the 1500 meters as well.
The Fun Run
What music do you rock while working out…
John - Eminem
Do you like to run in the mud or the grass…
John - Grass
Do you hang out on Facebook or Twitter...
John - Both I guess. Mainly Twitter though.
Do you like going out or chilling at home...
John - Both
What gear is your favorite while running...
John - Nike apparel is most definitely my favorite to perform in.
