Chris Schwartz
Sr., Foothill-Bakersfield H.S.
Bakersfield, CA
Highlights: A 2007 Foot Locker finalist, Schwartz (MS #1 West) recently ran a season-best 15:09 to win the Clovis Invitational … Also won the Foothill-Bakersfield meet … Perhaps his best performance of his entire junior season came at the California State T&F Championships, where Schwartz (pictured left in a photo by Margot Kelly) became the first and only junior to break nine minutes in a 3200m race, his 8:58.50 effort was second only to national record holder German Fernandez.
Coach (Arron Rietz) says: “He’s by far the most talented kid I ever coached. He’s the hardest worker. He won’t ever quit. I think his main strength is his determination. He doesn’t want to quit. He doesn’t want to lose. He knows how to run a race. He knows when to take the lead, he knows when to hold back, especially on the courses he knows. He’s got a game plan every race he goes into. He’s always had the talent, now he knows how to run a race other than just going out there and running all out.”
Schwartz says: “I just like to run. I want to be one of the best.”
Summer mileage (max): 50
Weekly mileage: 25
Training shoes: adidas or New Balance
Race day superstitions: None
Favorite school subject: Math