Michel Brajdic (2011) Bay Village
Ohio State University (Distance)
- 2010 Ohio Boys Cross Country Gatorade Runner of the Year
- 26th Foot Locker Nationals 15:45.10
- 2 Time OHSAA State D2 Cross Country Champion 2009 (15:49.91), 2010 (15:01.90)
- All Time Scioto Downs Course record holder 15:01.90
- 2011 OATCCC Indoor Champion 1,600 4:13.18
- 2011 OATCC Indoor Champion 3,200 9:22.65
- 1st 2011 D2 OHSAA 3,200 9:25.07
- 2nd 2010 D2 OHSAA 3,200 9:08.41
MileSplit: How has your collegiate experience been thus far?
Michael: College has been definitely up and down thus far, but I am very excited where my development and the team are headed. Obviously there was some turmoil in the last year for me (2 separate stress fractures/head coaching change), but it all seems to be headed in the right direction now. We had the 2nd best incoming class in the nation as a track team last year, and are also going after high end distance runners from across the United States and even internationally.
MileSplit: What would be some of your biggest highlights?
Michael: My biggest highlights of college thus far took place during the months of November-February of my freshman year. Our team ended up at NCAAs in cross country, and finished 23rd. That experience was very eye opening, and continues to motivate me. I was fortunate enough to be selected for the USA Jr. team that raced in Edinburgh, Scotland during the first week of January. Getting international race experience was once again eye opening, and with a 7th place overall finish I was very happy with how my training was going being able to finish not too far behind my American teammates Kirubel Erassa and Eddie Owens. We also won the team competition ousting the U.K. and EU Select Teams. The following month, in February, was the USA Cross Country Championships, where I raced in the Jr. division (Under 20). While I had the lead with about 200 meters left, I was not able to quite hold it, but still finished 4th, which qualified me for the NACAC competition in Trinidad and Tobago. I was running with a lot of confidence, but ended up suffering from a stress fracture before I was able to go.
MileSplit: I’m sure that was very disappointing along with the announcement of your coach leaving.
Michael: Obviously, Coach Gary announced he was going to leave soon after I got the stress fracture, so I was able to redshirt outdoor and focus on being completely healthy for the next coach/cross country. We were very fortunate that Coach Beathea took the head job, as well as the hiring of our new distance Coach Brice Allen. The intensity stayed about the same, but the density has increased and my body is able to recover much faster as a result. We are lucky to have a coach so committed to success and proven in the distance area. Having coached Wesley Korir (Boston Marathon champ), Matt Hughes (2x NCAA steeple champ), and a team full great distance runners, everyone on our team is very confident where we'll be in a few years.
MileSplit: What lessons have your learned that you could share?
Michael: While running has not been exactly where I've wanted it to be, I've learned the invaluable lesson of only worrying about things that I can control.
MileSplit: Is there a different level of dedication at the collegiate level?
Michael: The level of dedication in college is much more than in high school and I have learned to diversify myself in college, which I do believe blunted some of the blows of suffering two stress fractures and a head coach leaving after one year. When running has been up and down, I've had great teammates and leaders on the distance squad to look up to, group involvement in the Fisher College of Business to keep me busy, as well as working as hard as ever in my studies to make sure that I make the most out of my experience here at Ohio State.
MileSplit: How would you summarize your experience?
Michael: All-in-all I have learned to be patient with my running pursuits, and am confident that these next few years will be pretty exciting.