Talking to Some of the State's Top Frosh Athletes
Highland's Dylan Alexander and Corona's Michael Gauger
by Doug Speck - DyeStatCal.com

Talking with a Couple of the Top Newcomers to the Prep Scene

As the season has started there have been a number of first year preps who have done some great running. We asked a couple of them to take some time out of their busy start of first year of high school schedule to answer some questions for us about their season so far and their personal background. It is interesting to see the variety of sports backgrounds that go into making a top frosh runner, with Michael Gauger below from Corona High showing that the super organized and specific distance running and racing program prior to high school is not a necessity.

Dylan Alexander raced to a fine 15:48 solo win in the Freshman division at the Seaside Invitational the opening weekend of the season, then last week added a fourth place overall in the High Desert Invitaional in Lancaster.

Michael Gauger started his year with a fine top twenty finish in the Morro Bay Invitational, and this past weekend blistered the Woodbridge course for a 15:30 three mile clocking while placing fourth in a soph race there. The 15:30 equalled the Course Frosh Record but was bettered by a second when Marco Perez of McFarland ran 15:29 later in the evening.

Dylan and Michael thanks for the time and best of luck

Doug Speck
DyeStatCal.com

Dylan Alexander

1) So what have been your thoughts on the high school season so far during its short period?

DA - I can't believe how long the season is. And the runners are so fast. It's hard to imagine I could be in a race with Scott Blair or Mac Fleet or Jeremy Acosta.

2) For how many years have you run competitively?

DA - I ran my first race in 2004 so I've been running 3 years.

3) What club(s) have you been involved in?

DA - As a youth runner,I ran for the Santa Clarita Storm. Last track season I ran post season for the Equalizers.

4) What other sports did you play while you were growing up and how did you do at those? (kind of how did you end up as a runner--)

DA - I played soccer one season but wasn't very good. I love basketball and was the Antelope Valley free throw champion in the 6th grade. I started running because of my dad. He was a runner; as a kid, I wouldn't let him in the house until he promised to run around the block with me.

5) Off how you have done so far what are some of your goals for the rest of the Fall or has it kind of just started and those are challenging to formulate at this time?

DA - I definitely reached my goal at Seaside. I have set goals for this season and beyond but don't feel comfortable sharing those goals at this time.

6) Describe your race at Seaside in Ventura where you won by a good amount and ran in the high 15:40's. Did you have a pace or final time in mind, how did the race go as far as the other competitors were concerned, what did you think of the course, and how pleased are you with the results?

DA - I thought Seaside was fast and flat, so I aimed for 5:00 pace for the first mile. I knew a lot of the top runners from Youth running and knew they were good. The pace was very fast at the start, and that may have hurt me in the last mile, but I was happy to break 16:00.

7) What advice would you have to a first year runner who is just starting in the sport?

DA - Be patient and don't get discouraged. At first, just work on building a good base, don't try and do too much too soon.

Michael Gauger

1) So how has cross-country gone so far your first year here off the top of your head?

MG - It is going good. I am having fun and all of my team mates are pretty cool.

2) How did it feel to run Varsity probably your first race as a high-schooler up at Morro Bay ?

MG - I felt good running Varsity my first race. I hope that I can run good enough to stay on the Varsity team.

3) What kind of competitive running have you done prior to high school and were you in any kind of an organized team or program?

MG - I have not done any competitive running at all. The only real running I have done is playing AYSO soccer for my dad. He really made us run a lot at practice

4) What were some of your goals coming into high school for athletics, and maybe how have they changed in the couple weeks with the cross-country program?

MG - I really did not have any goals for high school since I was only average in all of the sports I tried. This is the first time that I feel like I can really help a team I am on. Coach Gardner is really cool and tells us to focus less on ourselves and more on the team.

5) How has the school homework and running workload gone for you so far this short school year?

MG - It has been hard to balance running with homework since all my classes are honors and I have more homework than the average class. Plus I am still trying to play AYSO soccer.

6) What big races are coming up for you?

MG - We are running at Woodbridge this weekend. Coach Gardner has me running with the sophomore’s so that I can develop a bond with Alan Cuevas who runs similar times to mine.

Great job last weekend guys and we look forward to more good action!!
Doug Speck
DyeStatCal.com

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