Editor's Note: as a custom report from our database, Alumni Reports have been considered Insider content for a while now. This year, Jason Creasy has been adding significant value to these reports by including interviews with former NC high-school runners who now compete for NC colleges, to the point that these articles have become arguably the best content we have up during the middle of the week. I wanted everyone who isn't a subscriber to see what they're missing! It's not just about the stats; Insiders also get access to the high-quality content that our writers research and prepare, and that will only get better over time as our young staffers continue to get better at what they do.
Whats the best part about running for UNC Charlotte?
At the beginning of my junior year, Alex Gibby became our coach and turned the distance program at Charlotte around. Having an experienced coach who holds us to very high standards and expectations has made a huge difference. I might be more tired than I ever have been and my mileage might be double what it was before, but it has been awesome to see the work pay off for myself and my teammates. Gibby also has one of the coolest families I've met, including the cutest twin babies ever, and my friends and I have enjoyed getting to know him and his wife Kathy and watch the babies grow up.How has it been transitioning to a becoming a steeplechase athlete in college since it isn't highly run in high school meets, and why should distance runners give steeplechase a shot?
The most important aspect of transitioning to the steeplechase is not being afraid of the jumping. Distance runners should be open to trying the steeple because it tests the endurance and stamina of distance running while adding an exciting little twist that isn't there on a flat race.