-Athlete Name: Jared Fleming
@flimflam15
-School: Van Wert High School
-Year of Graduation: 2013
-Best time in a 5K race and in which meet:
15:58.5 at the Coldwater Invitational last year
-Tell us how your summer training is going?
My Summer training has been going very well so far. I took a week and a half off after the track season and I am now building a strong base with some solid weeks of high mileage.
-What are your goals for the upcoming season?
I think my goals for this upcoming season are the same as everyone else being interviewed and that is to be standing on top of that podium with my teammates and by myself down at National Trail Raceway come November.
-How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I started running Cross Country Freshman year. I was in love with running the mile in middle school and was always trying to find a way to run it faster, so when my middle school track coach (Bob Spath) told me I need to run cross in order to make that happen I decided to hang the football cleats up and give cross country a try.
-Will you be competing anywhere out of state this season?
Our team is racing in the Haslett Invite in Haslett, Michigan in September. I would like to do either Foot Locker or Nike but I have not decided on which race at this time.
-What is your favorite course to run in Ohio?
I love Tiffin because of the tradition and the size of the meet. But I am going to have to say the Midwest Meet of Champions due to the fast course and the high competition level. However if you were at the meet last year you would know that the weather didn't quite cooperate.
-What is the toughest course to run in Ohio?
I dislike racing in the Van Wert Invite the most. The footing is rough and half of the race is on top of a reservoir away from all spectators.
-What meet during the regular season do you put extra emphasize on to compete well at?
We dropped two meets this year and picked up two new ones so I am not sure what meet we will put more emphasize on. However being a senior I would like to leave it all out on the course, race in and race out and not have any regrets this year.
-What is your favorite cross country race so far in your high school career?
Racing at last years muddy Mid West Meet of Champions was pretty sweet. It was a race you actually had to use your hands in just so you didn't fall in the woods. It was just one of those races that you can talk with your teammates about for years.
-Favorite cross country memory?
Qualifying to the State Meet last year with my whole team is my favorite memory. It was extremely rewarding to see all of our hard work pay off.
-When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
My friends and I are avid Ping- Pong players (I'm the worst one). And I may not be a "Gamer" but I am a huge fan of playing Skyrim.
-Favorite quote?
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such great witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. " Hebrews 12:1
-What's on your Ipod when you go out for runs?
I always listen to Yellowcard because I am a pretty chill guy and try not to get too psyched leading up to races
-What professional athlete would you most like to meet?
It would be awesome to meet Bernard Lagat. I have always been a miler at heart and even though he is a 5K guy now his foot speed to me sets the bar for mid distance guys.