A year ago, Andy Wacker decided it was worth the trouble to transfer from a small Independent school to 4A Pinecrest. Andy thought the wider variety of classes would be beneficial academically. Andy also knew the running program could provide more competition.
"I knew Pinecrest had some good runners, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well everything turned out."
Andy was talented while attending O'Neal School, but has since made huge improvements while running for Pinecrest. If you know anything about NC distance running, you know that he has had plenty of talent surrounding him. Training with other talented runners is just one thing that Andy has benefited from. I had heard a rumor that Andy was a picky eater and did a lot of the small things that it takes to perform at your best.
"I guess that is somewhat true. I am picky in the sense that I like to eat healthy food. I try to stay away from a lot of candy, chocolate, packaged and artificial foods. I eat a banana a day and other fruits and vegetables, too. I owe a lot to my grandmother who cooks a healthy balanced dinner every night. I also stay away from drugs and alcohol. I carb-o-load before meets and try to get enough sleep (8-9 hours) each night."
Andy had a very successful track season, running 9:25 and 4:27 in the mile. He was also a part of a State Record setting Pinecrest 4x800 team that ran 7:45. With the confidence he gained from track and the sub 16:00 performance he ran at last year's state meet on the difficult Tanglewood Park course, he is ready to fly!
"This summer I put in more miles than usual. I usually run every other day until August, but this year I began running six days a week, starting in early July."
"The season has gone even better than I expected. I always have high expectations for my team and myself, and so far things are going great. On the other hand, I know there is a lot of room for improvement."
Much more improvement could land Andy in San Diego come December. He has begun the season with two outstanding races at the Jungle Run and the Seahawk Invitational. Both races he ran sub 15:30 performances, a 15:24 at the Jungle Run and 15:21 on the UNCW campus. Both races running at the front . . . alone.
It is evident that Andy sets high expectations for himself when you take a look at his goals for the XC season.
"My goals are to win the State meet individually and as a team, as well as make it to Footlocker Nationals."
However, before he can meet those goals, he has a huge race on his hands this weekend. Andy is running in the Race of Champions at the Great American XC Festival in Hoover, Alabama. Andy will be running among some of the nations best teams and some of the nations best runners. This is circled as one of the key races in Andy's season, as this will definitely give him an idea of where he stands right now. Andy's goal for the race is to finish in the top 5. Ben Hubers, the #1 returner in the SE region, and Jay Heller, the #4 returner will both be in Andy's race, so this will be a challenge.
"I want to run smart, stay relaxed and run with the lead pack."
Andy has an excellent chance of continuing the NC tradition in this race. Last year Sandy Roberts, Broughton HS, won the race very impressively. Not far behind him was Jack Bolas of Chapel Hill HS, in third place.
NCrunners wishes Andy the best of luck on Saturday morning as he races some of the best in the country. Relax and go get 'em!
NCrunners also wishes the best of luck to the following teams and individuals competing at the Great American XC Festival:
TC Roberson (girls)
Charlotte Catholic (boys & girls)
Providence Day (boys & girls)
Vance HS (boys)
Marley Burns, Carolina Day
Callen Fike, Athens Drive
Davis Graham, Carolina Day
David Dement, Cary Academy