Mount Spokane senior John Dressel was the top high school finisher at last year's USA XC Championship, racing to fourth place overall in the Junior Men's 8k. The three-time Foot Locker All-American returns to the event this weekend, looking to take a top-six qualifying spot for the IAAF World XC Championship and to leave a strong mark on Boulder, Co., where he will make his new home next year as a Buff with the defending NCAA XC champions.
What's your race plan for this weekend at the USA XC Championship?
The plan for this weekend at USA's is to enjoy the opportunity and have fun. When you're having fun and enjoying the moment it brings the best out of yourself. Of course it will be a very competitive race but I'm up for the challenge and will try to run to the very best of my abilities on the given day.
Last year, you were the first high school finisher in the Junior Men's 8k, finishing fourth overall in 25:45. What are your goals this year?
As a junior in high school, it was a cool experience to get a feel for what it was like to race against some collegiate athletes. I thought I performed well considering that I'd never ran an 8k before, especially at altitude. In terms of this weekend, I can bring back that experience and use it to my advantage. The field this year is larger, tougher, and faster but nonetheless the top guys that are listed to race are athletes who I've competed against in the past.
What makes this event unique?
USATF USA Cross Country Championships is a unique event for its of competition and distances. High schoolers rarely get the opportunity to compete against some of the top freshman at the NCAA level, and race 3,000 more meters than what they are used to. Also, this year is especially unique because its a qualifying year. The top finishers from the junior and senior races will embark on a journey to the IAAF World Cross Country Championships late March. Finally, you'll be able to witness some of the finest professional distance runners in America go head to head against one another.
Congratulations on committing to the University of Colorado. How did you make your decision and what other schools were you considering?
Thank you, I appreciate it. Making my final decision on what school I wanted to attend the next 4 to 5 years was a challenge, but at the same time it wasn't too difficult. The schools I was considering were Stanford, University of Oregon, Gonzaga, and University of Colorado Boulder. I'm very appreciative of the interest and opportunities that Stanford, Oregon, and Gonzaga had offered me. CU was my first official visit and I loved every moment of it. I really got along well with the guys and girls teams, as well as the coaching staff. Coach Wetmore, Nelson, and Burroughs are all amazing coaches who are very knowledgeable and have great experiences for what they do. I believe in the program and what it stands for, and I will do my best to further myself, and the team in the near future. Out of all the schools, I felt that I would be happiest attending CU, and if you're happy you're going to be successful no matter where you end up. The team chemistry is fantastic and they all share the same values that I'm accustomed to. Relationships last a lifetime and that's why I chose the University of Colorado Boulder.
Will Coach Wetmore and/or other members of the Buffs staff attend USA XC this weekend?
Yes, Coach Wetmore and the CU team will be there at the race this weekend. Three of the freshman will compete in the junior men's race as well and I'm looking forward to competing with them, and receiving the support from the rest of the team.
How does it feel to prepare to race in Boulder this weekend, where you will make your new home in less than six months?
This will be my fourth time being in Boulder, Colorado, and I'm very excited to be back. The preparations leading up to the race thus far have been going well and I'm really excited for the opportunity. All I can say is that it's a special feeling for sure.
You have not raced since your sixth-place All-American finish at Foot Locker Nationals. How do you feel about your final high school cross country season?
I feel like I ran considerably well for my last high school cross country season with PR's, even though I wanted to place higher in some of my races. Every race is a learning experience which helps me continue to better myself. I'm really looking forward to the oval office.
What's it like to have an in-state rival like Tanner Anderson?
Having an in-state rival is special and not many people get to have that experience. We bring the best out of each other and if it wasn't for Tanner I wouldn't have accomplished some of my finishing times and feats, and vice versa for him as well. It's very competitive in a good way for both of us and keeps us both training and competing at a very high level.
Describe your training from Foot Locker to now. Have you trained to peak at USA XC, or are you gearing up for the track season?
I took two weeks off after Foot Locker Nationals and then began training again. I'm training for this spring but I'm using the base and fitness off of what I have acquired through last fall and the last 6 weeks, to prepare me for USA's.
Describe a typical week of training during the peak of cross country season.
During the peak of my cross country season, the mileage isn't too light but it isn't heavy either. The workouts become shorter and the intensity rises. Usually I'll have a moderate or hard workout the beginning of the week, hold and run normal throughout the week except for pre meet days of course. Race on the weekend and run long the following day
When will you make your track debut?
I'm not sure yet on whether or not I'll participate in an indoor meet but I'll most likely debut my track season in March.
On the track, you have personal records of 4:10.95 for 1,600m and 8:58.38 for Two Miles. What are your goals for track?
The plan for this track season is to stay hungry, stay focused, and to believe in what I'm capable of doing.
Do you plan to compete at New Balance Nationals?
I would like to compete at New Balance Nationals, but that is up to my coach/dad to decide. He and I haven't finalized or talked too much about the up and coming track season but it would be ideal to run in some faster races.
You come from a family with a strong running legacy. Tell us a little bit about your relatives' running accomplishments and what it means to be a Dressel.
My dad ran for the University of Texas, then transferred to University of Arkansas when John McDonnell was coaching at the time. My aunt Lisa ran for the University of Wisconsin, but eventually transferred to Auburn, and my uncle Vinny ran for the University of Tennessee. My dad and his siblings all ran in college, and my mom ran in high school. My dad was a part of the Razorback team when they were triple crown champions, and my Aunt Lisa was a Foot Locker finalist when she was in high school.
What is your biggest challenge as a runner and how do you work to overcome it?
I think the biggest challenge as a runner is time management, for me anyways. There isn't enough time in the day to do everything that I want or need to do. Whether that's school, training, or getting your rest, its somewhat hard to try and fit everything in day by day but you have to prioritize and make things work. I think it would really help if there was more than 24 hours in a single day haha.
What was your childhood dream?
In kindergarten my dream job was to work at Costco and to become a cashier for a living, haha. A lot has changed since then!
What is your most embarrassing running-related moment?
I think the most embarrassing running-related moment for me was when I was a freshman in high school. The track team went to Yakima, Washington, to compete at the Ram Relays. The Ram Relays wasn't your typical invitational because it had some unique events, such as this co-ed distance medley relay that we took part in. I was getting ready for my leg of the relay which was a 1200, and for some reason I stepped onto the track thinking that it was my turn to receive the hand off from my teammate who was out on the track running a 600. The problem was, my teammate had only ran 200 meters of the 600, so she had 400 meters left to go. She ran into me, knocked me off the track, and I stumbled and fell on this desk that was right by the finish line. This was in front of everyone in the stands, haha!
If you didn't run, you would...
I would be playing club soccer for Spokane Shadow, and school soccer in the spring.
What might people be surprised to know about you?
My favorite sport is soccer, or European Football, and I've been a Manchester United fan since the 5th grade.
What do you want to major in next year?
I plan on studying business, although I'm not too sure what specifically in business that I want to major in yet.
Short Answers!
Last book you read: Unbroken
Favorite movie: McFarland USA
Pre-race pump-up song: Centuries by Fall Out Boy
What did you eat for breakfast this morning? A bowl of Cheerios Protein
If you could work out with any athlete (past or present, from any sport) it would be... Galen Rupp
