Brunswick Sr. Andre Bollam-Godbatt is ranked # 6 by time of returners (15:25.92). He was 24th last year, in his first trip to National Trails, at State with a 15:52.00. He has been to State twice outdoors in the 1,600, placing 12th in 2014 with a 4:19.78 and 9th in 2015 with a 4:19.62. He went 4:17.56 indoors in the 1,600 at the 2016 OATCCC State Indoor Championships, placing 6th. He has gone 9:13.85 in the 3,200 and 1:55.95 in the 800. He has good speed and his experience should have him on the podium this November.
Best time in a 5K race and in which meet?
My best 5k time was at the Midwest Meet of Champions down in the Columbus area. I ran a 15 second PR and beat the school record by 10 seconds, clocking a 15:25.
Tell us how your summer training is going?
So far it's been great. I've been getting in some solid base training and working into getting faster runs and workouts in. Just trying to log some quality mileage. I train at the Hinckley Reservation 5 days a week during the summer. It has miles of dirt paths and bridle trails so I can stay off of pavement. The place simulates a cross country course filled with plenty of hills and scenery.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
I have 3 goals for this upcoming season. I would like to join the sub-15 club. It was actually one of my goals last year. I have some key meets that will be attempts and possibly into the post season. Seeing improvement in myself is what motivates me everyday to keep working hard. I want to get my team to the State meet. Our team hasn't been a qualifier since 2012 and most guys on the varsity team are seniors so it would be something very special for them. Lastly, I would like to capture a state title under my belt which has been a goal since middle school. At my high school, every state champion gets a hand-drawn portrait of themselves dating back to our 1st state champ, Marc Hunter (Drew Hunter's father), by the same artist each time and we have a special hallway in our school for these portraits.
How long have you been running and how did you get
started?
I began taking running seriously when I joined track in 7th grade, I hesitated joining cross country in 7th grade and I regret missing a season. I got my start from my middle school gym class. We ran the mile a handful of times a year and I ran a 5:34. Right after I finished the test, my gym teacher walked over and persuaded me to join the track team.
Will you be competing anywhere out of state this season?
I'm planning on racing at the Midwest Footlocker Regional in Wisconsin and the Midwest Nike Cross Regional in Indiana.
What is your favorite course to run in Ohio?
My favorite course I have to say would be Tiffin, I always run well there often getting a PR and the meet has a very competitive field. It's a course I feel the most comfortable with since I first ran there in 8th grade.
What meet during the regular season do you put extra
emphasize on to compete well at?
A meet I always put my focus on is the Midwest Meet of Champions in Hilliard. It's our teams overnight meet and one of the last couple meets before the post season and I can gauge my fitness and test out my race strategies.
What is your favorite cross country race so far in your
high school career?
My favorite race of my career so far was Midwest last year. It was the first time it was cold and much colder than previous years, low 40's instead of 80's, and I was running stride for stride with Andrew Jordan for 2 miles, it felt like a mini state meet.
Favorite cross country memory?
My favorite cross country memory was my freshman year at our District meet, we were the underdogs to qualify for Regionals and it was a cold and rainy. It came down to the last 200 meters. That day our team took the last qualifying spot, claiming 4th, edging out Berea-Midpark. I was the only freshman on varsity filled with seniors and making it to Regionals meant the world to them.
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to
do?
I like to be outdoors, either riding my bike, playing other sports, or being out somewhere with my friends.
"Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion" - Michael Jordan
What shoes do you train in?
I train in the Nike Pegasus 33
What shoes do you race in?
The Nike Zoom Victory OG's track spikes
What professional athlete would you most like to meet?
LeBron James
What is something that most people don't know about you?
Basketball was the first sport that I played years before I was a runner. It will always have a special place in my heart. I play occasionally with friends or pickup games at my community recreation center.
