Gallery of Finalists:
South
Boys

1.  Bobby Lockhart VA
 

Bobby says:

1. How did it feel when the race was over and you realized how you had finished and were going to Orlando? Was the placing a surprise, or something you were shooting for all year?

I was very happy and yes, I was hoping to win the race.

2. Was Foot Locker Regional your best race of the year? If so, tell us about what made it so. If not, tell us about your best race of the year.

Yes, I really felt good the whole race.

3. Tell us about your coach(es) and what were the key training elements that helped you improve and get to Orlando.

I put in twice as much base training this year, incorporating hill workouts, fartleks and harder intervals.

4. What are your goals Saturday? What kind of race will it take for you to get All-American (or win, whatever your goal is)?

(No answer written)

5. Who are the most important influences in your running life (family, coach, friends, etc.)? Who is your favorite elite (HS, college or pro) runner?

My family is very supportive with my running. Coach Burns and Coach Stickley have had a big influence on my running.

6. What are your biggest interests outside of running?

Hanging out with my friends and, also, ping pong, golf and basically anything involving a sport.

Date	Name	School	Event	Perf	Notes	Meet
2001-11-24	Lockhart, Bobby B(2002 VA)	Handley Winch	5K-XC	#1 14:43	5k - McAlpine Pk, Charlotte	NC FL SO Seeded
2001-11-10	Lockhart, Bobby B(2002 VA)	Handley Winch	5K-XC	#1 15:10	5k - Great Meadows	VA State Meet
2001-11-01	Lockhart, Bobby B(2002 VA)	Handley Winch	5K-XC	#1 15:15	5k - Great Meadows	VA Reg 2 AA
2001-10-25	Lockhart, Bobby B(2002 VA)	Handley Winch	5K-XC	#1 15:33	5k - Great Meadows	VA NW District AA
2001-10-13	Lockhart, Bobby B(2002 VA)	Handley Winch	5K-XC	#1 15:03	5k - Bull Run Park	VA Glory Days Inv
2001-10-06	Lockhart, Bobby B(2002 VA)	Handley Winch	5K-XC	#1 14:42	5k - Great Meadows	VA Octoberfest
2001-05-11	Lockhart, Bobby B(2002 VA)	Handley Winch	B-2Mile	#1 9:00.56	c-MR -	VA Southern Classic
2001-04-28	Lockhart, Bobby B(2002 VA)	Handley Winch	B-Mile	#1 4:11.45	-	PA Penn Relays fin
2001-04-14	Lockhart, Bobby B(2002 VA)	Handley Winch	B-2Mile	#1 9:00.48	c -	CA Arcadia Inv
2001-03-31	Lockhart, Bobby B(2002 VA)	Handley Winch	B-2Mile	#1 9:06.20	-	VA Saxon Classic
2001-03-11	Lockhart, Bobby B(2002 VA)	Handley Winch	B-Mile	#2 4:12.11	N: - @PG-Co	MD NIC
2001-03-03	Lockhart, Bobby B(2002 VA)	Handley Winch	B-2Mile	#1 9:12.57	N: MR - @Va-Tech	VA AA StateMeet
2001-03-03	Lockhart, Bobby B(2002 VA)	Handley Winch	B-Mile	#1 4:17.17	N: MR - @Va-Tech	VA AA StateMeet
2001-02-03	Lockhart, Bobby B(2002 VA)	Handley Winch	B-Mile	#2 4:18.02	N: -	NY Millrose Games
2000-12-09	Lockhart, Bobby B(2002 VA)	Handley Winch	5K-XC	#13 15:17	A: 5k - party sunny, high 70s	FL Foot Locker Final
2000-11-25	Lockhart, Bobby B(2002 VA)	Handley Winch	5K-XC	#2 15:07	A: 5k - rain, cold, muddy - Mc	NC FL SO Seeded

2. Matt Debole NC
 

Matt says:

1. How did it feel when the race was over and you realized you had finishedsecond and were going to Orlando? Was it a surprise at all, or something you were shooting for all year?

I was thrilled that I finished second in a field of such talented runners. I was certainly relieved that I had made top 8 and had a race where I felt I was completely in control. I had put qualifying for Nationals as one of my goals at the beginning of the season, and I geared nearly everything towards States and the South Regional throughout the entire season.

2. Was Foot Locker Regional the best race of your year? If so, tell us about what made it so. If not, tell us about your best race of the year.

I'd have to say that it was my best race all year. Many people were skeptical and didn't believe that I could handle the pressure of such an elite field because of my less than par performances at Great American and Furman. I came through the mile in roughly 4:42 and in about 20th place, which was right where I wanted to be. I felt great going up and coming down the hill and started to move up in the lead pack. As we came around the lake I was still feeling fresh and trailed Bobby Curtis as we both broke from the pack of about 9 right before the two mile, coming through at 9:35, my fastest all year. With my teammates cheering me on right after the two mile, I started to move and slowly catch up to Bobby Lockhart. I was with him for maybe 800 meters and then we hit the lake and he took off. I cruised and picked it up too, and was very surprised when I heard a 14:16 split for the three mile, and even more so when I crossed the line with a new PR of 14:49.

3. Tell us about your coach(es) and what were the key training elements that helped you improve and get to Orlando.

My coach Mike Esposito is just incredible. He had me put in a nice summer averaging close to 55 miles per week for a base. I did hills and fartleks and cruise intervals in addition to miles. Then, in the beginning of the season, I continued to average about 45 miles per week. Then I started with intervals and more speed training towards the end of the season. Esposito has had me doing lots of general strength work, such as push-ups and ab work, along with hip flexor drills. The thing that helped the most was believing that whatever I was doing, was the exact thing that I needed to be doing. If you don't believe in the system, it won't work.

4. What are your goals Saturday? What kind of race will it take for you to get top 7 or better?

My goal for this Saturday is to not have any regrets. I know what I am capable of doing, but it's all about bringing it together on one day against the stiffest competition I have ever faced. I see it as I only have one chance, one race, and I'm going to suck it up for 15 minutes and do the best I can. I think that it's hard to say what will get anyone into the top 7 places, but I know that it certainly has a combination of composure, determination and strategy.

5. Who are the most important influences in your running life (family, coach, friends, etc.)? Who is your favorite elite (HS, college or pro) runner?

The most important influence on my running life has to be God. But, I also owe so much to Coach Esposito for getting me from where I was to where I am. Sebastian Coe is my favorite professional runner. That guy was awesome.

6. What are your biggest interests outside of running?

I'm really into music. I play the piano and fool around on the guitar and sax sometimes. I'm in AP Music Theory and I love the class because I've learned so much more than I thought I could ever know about music. I'm also involved in Young Life and my church.

Date	Name	School	Event	Perf	Notes	Meet
2001-11-24	Debole, Matt B(2003 NC)	Mt. Tabor	5K-XC	#2 14:49	5k - McAlpine Pk, Charlotte	NC FL SO Seeded
2001-11-03	Debole, Matt B(2003 NC)	Mt. Tabor	5K-XC	#1 15:02	5k - McAlpine Pk Charlotte	NC State 4A
2001-10-13	Debole, Matt B(2003 NC)	Mt. Tabor	5K-XC	#8 15:56	5k - Furman U.	SC Furman Inv
2001-10-06	Debole, Matt B(2003 NC)	Mt. Tabor	5K-XC	#1 15:12	5k - McAlpine Park	NC Wendy's Inv
2001-09-22	Debole, Matt B(2003 NC)	Mt. Tabor	5K-XC	#3 15:45	5k - some hills, grass, hot,	SC GreatAm Inv Seed
2001-09-15	Debole, Matt B(2003 NC)	Mt. Tabor	5K-XC	#1 15:54	5.038 - sunny, hills, turns -	NC Cougar Inv
2001-09-08	Debole, Matt B(2003 NC)	Mt. Tabor	5K-XC	#1 15:01	5k - Wilmington NC, 70, rain,	NC Omega Inv
2001-08-25	Debole, Matt B(2003 NC)	Mt. Tabor	5K-XC	#1 15:10	5k - 73, sunny, hills	NC Brenner Hospital
2001-03-11	Debole, Matt B(2003 NC)	Mt. Tabor	B-800	#11 1:56.93	N: - @PG-Co	MD NIC
2001-02-04	Debole, Matt B(2003 NC)	Mt. Tabor	B-Mile	#2 4:21.50	N: c -	NC State Meet

3. Bobby Curtis KY

Bobby says:

1. What have been your feelings about the regional and the final since the race? The regional didn't seem like quite a max effort for you and you were coming off an illness.

The regional was a nice confidence boost. Although it was kind of a hard race, I felt very strong, so it's given me the motivation and confidence I need for this weekend.

2. Tell us about your best race of the year.

The Lexington Catholic Invitational was most likely my best race of the season. I ran 14:58 on the tough Kentucky horsepark, and it was mid season when I was doing my hardest work, but I still felt awesome that race.

3. Tell us about your coach(es) and what were the key training elements that helped you improve and get to Orlando.

Well Coach Medely and I have a great relationship, although we are both pretty stubborn people. We bump heads every now and then, but in the end we always come up with what is best. So we have a great coach to runner relationship. As far as training … about 55 miles a week this summer, 45 during the season, stuff like 3 - 5 x mile, 12-14 x 400, 3 mile tempo … just stuff like that, then a 10 mile run on Sunday

4. What are your goals Saturday? What kind of race will it take for you to win?

Well, nationals is such a crazy race, you never know what will happen. So basically I just have to get to the lead pack and stay. I was happy to hear it'll be kinda hot; that should make for a slower pace and hurt some of the mild/ cold weather runners.

5. Who are the most important influences in your running life (family, coach, friends, etc.)? Who is your favorite elite (HS, college or pro) runner?

Tom Evans and Ben Grigsby are the most important people in my running life. My favorite runners: El G and Geb, of course.

6. What are your biggest interests outside of running?

Just relaxing and doing whatever, I golf and enjoy ceramics also

Date	Name	School	Event	Perf	Notes	Meet
2001-11-24	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier Louis	5K-XC	#3 14:52	5k - McAlpine Pk, Charlotte	NC FL SO Seeded
2001-11-03	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier Louis	5K-XC	#1 15:06	5k - KY Horse Park	KY State 3A
2001-10-20	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier Louis	5K-XC	#1 14:41	5k - perfect conditions	KY Metro Champions
2001-10-06	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier Louis	5K-XC	#1 14:58	5k - KY Horse Park	KY Lexington Catholi
2001-09-22	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier Louis	5K-XC	#1 15:09	5k - some hills, grass, hot,	SC GreatAm Inv Seed
2001-09-15	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier Louis	5K-XC	#1 14:44	5k - Seneca Park, Lville, high	KY Trinity Inv
2001-09-08	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier Louis	5K-XC	#1 15:29	5k - Golden Gate Pk, SF	CA Great Bay Race
2001-08-25	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier Louis	5K-XC	#1 15:12	5k - very hot, humid - Seneca	KY Tiger Run
2001-06-16	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier	B-Mile	#5 4:12.60	-	NC AOC nationals
2001-06-02	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier	B-1600	#1 4:17.43		KY State 3A
2001-06-02	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier	B-3200	#1 9:15.25	*	KY State 3A
2001-05-11	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier	B-2Mile	#2 9:06.55	c -	VA Southern Classic
2001-04-28	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier	B-Mile	#3 4:14.51	-	PA Penn Relays fin
2001-03-11	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier	B-Mile	#1 4:12.00	N: - @PG-Co	MD NIC
2001-02-24	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier	B-1500	#1 4:02.33	N: SR -	KY MasonDixon AAA
2001-02-17	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier	B-Mile	#2 4:22.01	N: -	KY U-Ky Inv
2000-12-09	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier	5K-XC	#10 15:16	A: 5k - party sunny, high 70s	FL Foot Locker Final
2000-11-25	Curtis, Bobby B(2003 KY)	St. Xavier	5K-XC	#5 15:11	A: 5k - rain, cold, muddy - Mc	NC FL SO Seeded

5. Tyler Stanfield AL

Tyler says:

1. How did it feel when the race was over and you realized you had finished in fifth and were going to Orlando? Was it a surprise, or something you were shooting for all year?

It was one of the best feelings I've ever had. It was a goal I set after last year's race, so reaching something that I thought about everyday was great.

2. Was Foot Locker Regional the best race of your year? If so, tell us about what made it so. If not, tell us about your best race of the year.

Yes, it was definitely my best race of the season. Being able to run fast the last mile was a huge breakthrough for me.

3. Tell us about your coach(es) and what were the key training elements that helped you improve and get to Orlando.

My dad has always been my coach, and I think we finally found the training that suits me best.

4. What are your goals Saturday? What kind of race will it take for you to get in the top ten or better?

My goal for Saturday is to help the South bring home the title! I think to get in the top 10, I will have to be patient, in control, and close the last 1000.

5. Who are the most important influences in your running life (family, coach, friends, etc.)? Who is your favorite elite (HS, college or pro) runner?

I would say my dad, because without him, I wouldn't even be running. He motivates me daily, and provides me with great workouts. My favorite elite runner is Scott Strand, he has been a great mentor to me. Being able to work and train with him has helped me tremendously.

6. What are your biggest interests outside of running?

Being involved in our youth activities, and trying daily to improve my Christian walk.

6. Fleet Hower VA

Fleet says:

1. How did it feel when the race was over and you realized you had finished in the top eight and were going to Orlando? Was it a surprise, or something you were shooting for all year?

Finishing in the top eight was a big relief. I finally felt like I had proven to other people that I could run well against good competition. I had been shooting to qualify for nationals all year, and with the way my training was going I would have been disappointed if I had failed to qualify.

2. Was Foot Locker Regional your best race of the year? If so, tell us about what made it so. If not, tell us about your best race of the year.

Foot Locker regional was probably my best race of the year, but I feel like I can run better. The run was good mainly because it was the first time all year I was able to run in a pack and compete against other good runners.

3. Tell us about your coach(es) and what were the key training elements that helped you improve and get to Orlando.

My coach strongly believes in a strength-based program. During most of the season I was doing about 90 miles a week with one or two speed workouts each week. The strength that my training built helped me to be able to run well deep into the season.

4. What are your goals Saturday? What kind of race will it take for you to get All-American, top 10 or better?

Saturday I'm shooting for top 15. I feel like that's a realistic goal. I will take a great race, but I see it as the last race of the season and there's no reason to hold anything back.

5. Who are the most important influences in your running life (family, coach, friends, etc.)? Who is your favorite elite (HS, college or pro) runner?

Coach Walker is a big influence in my running. Other than that I'm mainly self-motivated.

6. What are your biggest interests outside of running?

When I'm not running I could always go for a good nap or go hang out with my friends.

7. Scott Fuqua AL

Scott says:

1. How did it feel when the race was over and you realized you had finished in the top eight and were going to Orlando? Was it a surprise, or something you were shooting for all year?

It felt really awesome to know that I had made the team. Making the team had been one of my goals from the onset of the season. Coming into the race I knew it was going to be really tough to make the team because of the level of talent in the South this year. I knew that if I ran a good race that I had a shot to make it.

2. Was Foot Locker Regional the best race of your year? If so, tell us about what made it so. If not, tell us about your best race of the year.

The regional was definitely one of my best races. I ran at the front from the gun for the first mile and a half. I made some mental errors after the mile and a half and slipped back out of the top 10, but I was able to gather myself and move back into the top 8 in the last half mile.

3. Tell us about your coach(es) and what were the key training elements that helped you improve and get to Orlando.

My coach, Paul Anderton, has done a great job with me over the last 4 years. He has brought me along consistently. I have been able to lower my times every season and that is definitely because of him. As far as my training, I do a lot of workouts to work on strength during cross country. In my opinion, the key to training is just being consistent over a long period of time. If you do the work things will go will go your way a lot of the time.

4. What are your goals Saturday? What kind of race will it take for you to get in the top 10 or better?

The race this weekend will be the toughest field I have ever run against. I will just have to go out and run hard. I just want have a good race to end my high school career. I don't know about place, but anyone who makes the top 10 will have run an awesome race.

5. Who are the most important influences in your running life (family, coach, friends, etc.)? Who is your favorite elite (HS, college or pro) runner?

Well, my parents have been a huge part of my success. They have supported me the whole way through. My coach has been a big influence also. As far as running role models, Steve Prefontaine was the first professional runner that I learned about when I started running. His accomplishments are incredible and they are great for all young runners to go after.

6. What are your biggest interests outside of running?

My biggest interest outside of running is reading about military history. I have read several books on the Civil War, World War 2 and Vietnam. I really enjoy learning about the events that have shaped our nation.

8. Milos Mitric NC

Milos says:

1. How did it feel when the race was over and you realized you had finished in the top eight and were going to Orlando? Was it a surprise, or something you were shooting for all year?

I was not surprised because I expected to be in top eight finishers. I was so focused on Nationals, so I did not push very hard at the regional meet.

2. Was Foot Locker Regional your best race of the year? If so, tell us about what made it so. If not, tell us about your best race of the year.

I am an exchange student from Yugoslavia. I came here right after my track season, so I did not have a big rest. I ran Great American and I was first in the champion race until the last 200m where I took a wrong turn and finished seventh, but nobody said anything about what happened. I won the State meet and seta state record for 3A.I won the Balkan Championships (Balkan Peninsula). It is about cross country. But I had good track races also. I won some big meets in Europe for juniors.

3. Tell us about your coach(es) and what were the key training elements that helped you improve and get to Orlando.

My coach here is a very good man. We try to keep my training like I learned to train, because European training is a little different. But we work really good together. I train most times twice a day and my training is really hard and what is most important is I believe in my training.

4. What are your goals Saturday? What kind of race will it take for you to get All-American or better?

I will try to give my maximum in that race. If I give that I am sure that I will do very well. It is hard to say final score. But I believe in myself. VENI VIDI VICI!

5. Who are the most important influences in your running life (family, coach, friends, etc.)? Who is your favorite elite (HS, college or pro) runner?

My coach and my family. I have my star which always helps me. But the most important thing is myself. I do not have big idols. My idol is my star.

6. What are your biggest interests outside of running?

Just running. It is the key of success. I try to be focused just on that.(besides my school)

9. Joe Thorne GA

10. Ryan Deak FL