-Athlete Name: Sam Wharton
-School: Tippecanoe High School
-Year of Graduation: 2013
-Best time in a 5K race and in which meet:
I ran a 14:46 on the track at New Balance Outdoor Nationals, but my fastest cross country 5k was 15:24 at the 2011 State Meet at National Trail.
-Tell us how your summer training is going?
My summer has started off very well. I took some time off after New Balance and am now back running full swing, I am currently at about 40 miles per week but hope to peak at around 70 and keep it around 55-60 throughout the season. Our team is shaping up well, and I am definitely enjoying summer before we go back to school.
-What are your goals for the upcoming season?
Stay healthy. As long as I stay healthy I believe I could put in a great season. As a team we have an outside shot at making it to state. We have some freshman who are coming in that could definitely contribute and we have a lot of other kids stepping up this summer. As for myself I really want to continue my All-Ohio streak and hopefully even a state title. There is a lot of great competition coming back this year with the juniors Mark Hadley and Andrew Johnston, and then my friend Jacob Dumford isn't too shabby either. On top of that, I feel like the course record for the state course is in jeopardy this year and the record holder Sam Prakel will be tough to beat. I haven't raced Sam too often but he is an amazing runner. In the postseason, I want to qualify to both Nike and Footlocker Nationals.
-How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I have been running competitively since 7th grade. My dad and uncle ran competitively and they encouraged me to give it a try.
-Will you be competing anywhere out of state this season?
Our varsity team will be traveling to Culver Academies Inv. in Indiana, and I intend to participate in both Nike and Footlocker meets this postseason.
-What is your favorite course to run in Ohio?
Anything with woods or obstacles or something of that sort, I like to use them tactically and it takes my mind off of running as opposed to just a straight line in a prairie, so either Mason or Bob Schul Invitational.
-What is the toughest course to run in Ohio?
I think the Mason Invitational is the hardest course. Many people psyche themselves out over the hay bales or the creek or the mulch hill and focus so much on that and they forget to just run and have fun with it. It is also one of the most rewarding courses too.
-What meet during the regular season do you put extra emphasize on to compete well at?
I usually like to race well at the Alliance Invitational. Our coach's timing company runs this meet and it is kind of like our home meet. Many of our team's parents put a lot of effort into running it.
-What is your favorite cross country race so far in your high school career?
My favorite race in my career up until this point has to be the Nike Cross Country Regionals Meet in Terre Haute, Indiana. It was a surreal experience running with that level of competition and it showed me just how much I was able to push my limits to achieve my goals.
-Favorite cross country memory?
My freshman year, our team was very close and we had some amazing seniors and everything we did seemed to be an adventure, but before every meet we had a tradition that we would huddle up and perform a "Quack" chant.
-When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
I really enjoy going to Filbruns pond with my friends and just having a good time hanging out.
-Favorite quote?
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift" -Steve Prefontaine
-What's on your Ipod when you go out for runs?
I don't usually run with an iPod but if I was running alone I might consider listening to some Shakespeare audiobooks. Just kidding.
-What professional athlete would you most like to meet?
I would like to meet Galen Rupp. I have seen him race multiple times and he always rises to the occasion and is setting a high standard for American distance running.
