Fine junior Taylor Lucero (Bakersfield HS), the #3 soph 1600 runner in the state last year at 4:17 has started strongly this Fall, with a good unattached effort at Cal State Bakersfield and a winning run at the East Bakersfield Meet. He looks to be a part of a big resurgence in Central Section distance running which has provided an outstanding group recently, and with folks like State 3200 champ Kyle Alcorn (Buchanan, Clovis), should continue this year.

Taylor took the time to answer some questions about his running heading into the season below.

Best of Luck this year!!

1) Summarize your successes of your sophomore year in cross-country and
track--
I really don't believe my cross country season was so called 'successful".
I thought that my track season went well though. Overall, I was pretty
pleased with both results in track and cross country.

2) What have been some of the main differences between age-group and high
school running?

The main difference between age-group running and high school is the
competition. I think that the competition is more tight in age-group
running, because everyone is around the same age. Also you don't have to
worry about someone being older or more physically mature that yourself. In
regards to high school running I think that it is kind of unfair. Because
your always running against someone that is older than you are.

3) What was your summer preparation like for this season?

During summer I was planning on going to the National's in Nebraska, but I
wanted to gather myself for this years cross country and track seasons. So
I just trained through the summer, doing mileage.

4) What adjustments do you make for the heat in the Bakersfield area while
training?

Well, I run with my shirt off alot. There really is nothing you can do
but deal with it.

5) What do you think are your strengths as a runner?

I think that I have alot of strengths as a runner, but I would rather not
tell my competition them.

6) What areas of your races do you feel you need the most work on?

I feel really comfortable with what kind of shape I'm in right now, I
think that I just need to get in a race with some competition and find out
where I am.

7) After a fine spring season with soph bests of 4:17.12 for 1600 meters and
9:27.86 for 3200 meters what are some of your goals for the fall
cross-country season?

Well, my main goal for cross country is just to do my best. I really
don't have a specific time I want to run, I just want to keep getting
faster.

8) Any funny training or racing stories to pass on?

Sorry, I can't think of any.

9) What advice would you have for a beginning high school runner?

I would just tell them not to do too much mileage during their high school
career, if you want to run good in college. Thanks for the interview.

Sincerely,

Taylor Lucero

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