MileSplit Fast Four: A weekly glimpse at four of our nation's best




Tyler Udland
Jr., Millburn H.S.
Millburn, NJ


Highlights:  One of the most race-tested runners in the Northeast, Udland, won the NJSIAA Meet of Champions in 15:40 … At the NJ Group 3 Championship, he held off Ocean City standout Brett Johnson as well as Jersey studs Joe Rosa and Sean Pohorence to win in 15:36, the seventh fastest time in the history of Holmdel … Also won the North II Sectional Championship … Placed second to Johnson at the Shore Coaches Invitational … Finished third (12:28) to Solomon Haile’s course record run at the Manhattan College Invitational …  Clocked 9:04 last spring to win the 3200 at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions

Coach (Jeff Kaye) says: “He’s a very dedicated hard worker, which you would expect from most runners, but I think what separates him is he’s mentally tough and he has the heart and desire. He knows how to win. [The competition in NJ] has gotten better and it sort of raises the bar for everybody. He went out there, especially the last two weeks in a row, and proved he can run with the best of them. This past weekend he came from behind; he was about 20 meters back at one point. He just never gave up and ran his race. If he had any doubts about what he can do, hopefully that race put them to rest. That should give him some good confidence going into [Foot Locker].”

Udland says: “It was tough every week. Every week you went out and there was someone out there in New Jersey that was ready to run. It was pretty ridiculous this year. Early in the year at some invitationals, I didn’t always win those races, so I think that helped later in the year, when I got to states. It helped having run with someone that late in a race. It definitely helped me mentally. Even losing early in the year helps you gain experience for later on. The season has worked out better than I could have imagined. My number one goal coming into the year was to try to win Meet of Champs. Now that that is done I want to try to be top 10 [at Foot Locker Northeast] and make it to San Diego.”

Summer mileage (max): 78

Weekly mileage: 70-75

Training shoes: Asics 2130

Superstitions: Eats a bagel before every race

Hobbies: Golf, hang out with friends

Favorite movie: American Gangster