Ryan Hill of Hickory HS has had a very successful season up to this point, and he is hoping to continue right on through to Foot Locker Nationals. Last year as a sophomore, Ryan ran 15:24 to place 15th overall. This was a bit unexpected as it was a big improvement from the rest of his season. Ryan's 15th place was very impressive and made him the #5 returnee in the SE region.
"I had no idea that I was in 15th last year, during the race I thought that I may have been 25th or 30th. This year I know that I have got to stay in the front pack."
Ryan then went on to have an excellent track season. He won the Taco Bell Classic 2-mile running 9:16.50 which was the 2nd fastest time in the state last year behind Sandy Roberts. Ryan also ran 4:25 and 2:00 last season. However, his season did not end with states. He continued to race on the track as he ran in the Jr. Olympic Competitions. Ryan raced both the 3000m and 1500m at the state and regional competition, winning both. Then at the National Championships he chose to only run the 3000m. Ryan won the competition by 13 seconds, running 8:55.
I know there was a lot of speculation about how Ryan could hold up this XC season after racing all summer long. I asked him about his summer training.
"My summer training was constructed by Kenneth, and he had me running about 40-45 miles a week with one or two speed workouts. I felt like it was modified base training."
Kenneth Svendson who has worked with Ryan for the past year or so ran at UNC Charlotte and was an NCAA qualifier in cross-country. Kenneth is now in England, so their contact is much less these days.
Ryan's summer training has paid off and he looks to be very fit right now. Ryan won the Eye Opener defeating the #4 returnee, Jay Heller of Walton HS in Georgia. Then Ryan won the Wendy's Invitational in 14:55! This time ranks him 3rd All-time behind Foot Locker finalists Matt Debole (14:49.2) and Jack Bolas (14:54.00). Ryan won his 2nd straight NCISAA 3A title this year as well. He didn't look as dominant as many were expecting, but he won. Was he working on things? Was he doing enough to win? Only Ryan knows. Doesn't really matter though. This weekend should be fun.
"As for personal goals, I wanted to break 15 and qualify for nationals. Now, having broken 15, I want the All-time NC McAlpine record."
If you have witnessed Ryan race this season, you know he doesn't like to get out too fast. At the Eye Opener and at Wendy's, his two best races, he was out just off the lead but quickly made up the ground in the 2nd mile. He can't afford to go out too far off the leaders this weekend, but expect him to move in the 2nd half.
"I always like my first mile to be on some sort of pace and then just race my last 2 miles."
Ryan is looking to qualify and continue a North Carolina tradition. Only once in the last 9 years has NC failed to qualify a male runner for the Foot Locker Championships.
2005 – Jack Bolas, Sandy Roberts
2004 – Jack Bolas
2003 – Nick Hutchins, Eric Mack
2002 – Matt Debole, Bobby Mack
2001 – Matt Debole, Milos Mitric
2000 –
1999 – Ricky Brookshir, Stephen Haas
1998 – Bradsher Wilkins, Nick Mangum, Josh Baker
1997 – Bradsher, Wilkins, Josh Baker, Joe Lion
Joining Ryan Hill chasing after tradition will be Andy Wacker who ran 15:20 earlier this year at McAlpine. Dakota Lowery who finished 2nd in the 4A state meet and ran 15:23 at McAlpine. Also, John Curtiss who ran 15:24 at the Wendy's Invitational. Taylor Gilland who won the 4A meet in a impressive 15:38 looks to be passing up on Foot Locker in order to get ready for his team's trip to Nike Team Nationals.