Recently graduated Loyola HS standout
Mark Matusak, seen above left
outkicking Galen Rupp to win the Junior Nationals 1500m and above right
winning the Nike Outdoor Nationals 2-mile, will check in daily from
Canada!
Day - Monday 7/25
"The Arrival" Day
Hey everybody, I'm going to
be keeping you updated on my time here in Windsor, Canada for the
Junior Pan Am Championships. So let's start from the beginning....
Travel
My flight left LAX this morning
on time at 6:55 am. I was on the flight with Elizabeth Olear (a senior-to-be
at Louisville HS, the same school as where Mark's girlfriend just graduated
from) and Lionel Larry (of USC, formerly of Dominguez HS). Travel went
smoothly and I arrived in Detroit around 4:15 pm local time. Soon the
shuttle arrived to bring the group across the border.
The Essentials
We got to the University
of Windsor and went straight to the cafeteria to eat. I ate chicken and
pasta--the food was pretty good. Next, I received my room key and had
my photo taken for the credential. I found my room and settled in.
Steeplers John Martinez and Kevin McDermott over the steeple barriers
at the Junior Nationals (left) and Daniel Nunn in his prep days at
San Luis Obispo HS, where his race win keyed 2003 state team title.
The Teammates
I went for a run
with Daniel Nunn, John Martinez, and Kevin McDermott. (Editor's note:
Daniel Nunn attends Georgetown University and qualified here after finishing
second in the 5,000 meters at Junior Nationals. Daniel is another Californian
on the trip. Like Mark, Daniel led his team -- San Luis Obispo HS -- to
a state cross-country title and won a state individual cross-country title,
both coming in 2003). We went for about 8 miles along the river.
It had an amazing view across the river to America. We got back just in
time for the team meeting where the introductions were done and the rules
were explained.
         
Here's a sampling of the Team USA gear that members of the 2004
US Olympic and Junior
Olympic Teams received. We're not sure of this year's designs, but you
can bet they're sharp!
The Best Part Of The Trip: The Goods!
After that came
the best part--the free stuff!! I met with the distance runners and coaches
and then the official Team USA gear was handed out. It was a suitcase
full of ridiculously nice Team USA stuff--competition shorts, long and
short tights, rain gear warmups, podium warmups, T-shirts, long sleeve
T's and dri-fit, short sleeve dri-fits... All amazing stuff!!
After I played dress-up for awhile, I turned in for the night.
Practice is tomorrow at 9am. More tomorrow!
-- Mark
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