-Athlete Name: Andrew Johnston
-School: Olentangy Liberty High School
-Year of Graduation: 2014
-Best time in a 5K race and in which meet:
15:31 at the 2011 OHSAA State Championship!
-Tell us how your summer training is going?
Summer training is going great. I am running more miles than I ever have before. I am hoping that the higher milage will help me to compete at a much higher level.
-What are your goals for the upcoming season?
Last year I was the top team finisher. I would like to do that again this year as our team has very high aspirations for the season. We have all worked really hard this summer. I am also an upperclassman now so I want to take on more of a leadership role on the team than before.
-How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I started running when I was in 3rd or 4th grade. I began with the Scioto Track Club. I was motivated to run because my older brother, my mom, grandpa, and uncle were all good runners.
-Will you be competing anywhere out of state this season?
Our team will be heading to Nike Midwest in Indiana when cross country is done in Ohio.
-What is your favorite course to run in Ohio?
My favorite course to run was easily National Trail just because of all the excitement in the air.
-What is the toughest course to run in Ohio?
Last year Midwest Meet of Champions and Otterbein were both pretty tough because of the nasty weather. It was pouring rain and we were slipping everywhere. They were still fun, though.
-What meet during the regular season do you put extra emphasize on to compete well at?
We don't really put extra emphasis on any one race. Our coach has us focus on a different thing each race to sort of build a racing strategy to use toward the end of the season.
-What is your favorite cross country race so far in your high school career?
Easily the state meet, again because of all the excitement. It was awesome being there with my team. We had worked so hard to get there and it was our first time so it was awesome.
-Favorite cross country memory?
My favorite cross country memory is probably the Camp of Champs at Tiffin University. We go every year and, while it is miserable, so many fun memories come out of it and our team becomes really close.
-When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
I am close to getting my pilots license right now so that keeps me pretty busy. It's a lot of fun. I also really like to sleep!
-Favorite quote?
"The process is the goal." Coach Mills always says that and right now it is helping me a lot because I am reminded to take it one day at a time and not to think about the next day. Just focus on today's run, worry about tomorrow later.
-What's on your Ipod when you go out for runs?
I don't listen to my iPod when I run! Never been a huge fan of running with music. Probably sounds weird.
-What professional athlete would you most like to meet?
I would like to meet Ryan Hall because I think it is admirable that he uses his talents to help people in the world who need it.