It is with great pleasure that I write this spotlight article on two very well-deserving seniors at Milton HS that graduate next month. With the COVID-19 virus pretty much shuttering the track season down in Georgia, this is a nice way to highlight seniors' athletes on our teams and appreciate Bruce Taylor & GA Milesplit for doing this for them.
PR's
800m- 1:58.21
Mile Run- 4:30.64
3200m- 9:56.58
5k XC- 16:27.26
(by Andy Carr)
From humble beginnings and not a runner at all until coming to Milton, Spencer's meteoric rise to one of Milton's best runners was a process and one where he found out on longer runs, he could run with the top-guys. The 2017 boys state championship team along with the 2018 team really took him under their wing and got him more into the sport and serious about his running. Spencer's junior season saw him really break out and become one of Milton's top-7 in cross country and then our top-800 runner and made it all the way to the state meet in both sports.
A man of very few words but strong at heart and effort and love to work hard, Spencer took no shortcuts and really attacked each workout, easy or hard, and was that dedication that showed he could do anything he set his mind to. With that quality both outside & in the classroom, Spencer has decided to attend & run at Emory University in Atlanta. Spencer will be an instant contributor to one of the top-Division 3 programs (athletically & academically) in the country with his 50.9/1:58/4:30/16:27 PR's from high school at Milton with my personal highlight's being is win in the 800 at Jerry Arnold, his big win at Regions (also in the 800) that same season & his win at the Apalachee XC meet this past August outkicking Hayden Marshall (his teammate!) and his first 3200m race this spring (at the Marietta Distance Carnival) after waiting over 8hrs at the meet to run (and closing in 64!). Way to go Spencer & feel you are on the right track for both your running & education.
1) What were some of the highlights of your high school cross country and track careers?
Going to State during Track season my Junior year was a huge goal of mine and it was awesome to see that come to fruition. State for cross country the past two years had also been a great experience.
2) Did you encounter any struggles or adversity along the way that you had to overcome?
Obviously I've had ups and downs in training and good/bad races but I think everybody who runs goes through that.
3) Aside from the competition, what was the best thing about being a part of your school's program?
Going on team trips for cross country and track both my Junior and Senior year were also some of my favorite things during running in high school. Also, going to Cookout and Waffle House after races is always a highlight.
4) Are there any coaches or teammates that you've worked with over the past four years that you'd like to thank?
I'd like to thank Andy Carr for being a great coach and someone who truly cares about my running experience not just now but throughout the rest of my life. I'd also like to thank Hayden, Gary, Jack, Connor, Cory, Davis, Ethan, Joe and in general the varsity boys Junior and Senior year for pushing me during every run and making running enjoyable.
5) How are you coping with COVID-19 and the looming possibility that your HS track career might very well be over?
I still have the hope that State could still be a possibility, but it's not looking too great right now. I've just been continuing to train despite not really knowing what's ahead.
6) What are your plans and goals for the future? Do you intend on continuing with the sport in college or in another capacity?
I'm running at Emory University next year, which I'm very excited about.
7) What advice would you give to a younger athlete who's hoping to have a successful and enjoyable high school career?
Enjoy every moment. Enjoy every hard workout, every team trip, every boring easy run, every brutal long run, everything. You don't know when it will be over and cross country and track has definitely been the highlight of high school for me.
