Senior spotlight is an attempt to let athletes tell as much of their own story as we can. We want to take a look into some of the things that make them tick. If you are a senior who is in the top 25 this fall and want to be featured, send an email to milesplitga@gmail.com
Here we've got Lucas Johnson from Westminster Augusta for a senior spotlight moment:
What is your PR in XC so far?
My current PR is 14:57.
What are your college plans, if you have them figured out?
I am currently in the recruiting process to run cross country and track in college; however, I have not made a decision yet. Wherever I go, I am planning on majoring in finance.
What's your most memorable race or race you're most proud of?
By far my most memorable race is the Atlanta City Games 3200m. After a disappointing performance at state, I was able to bounce back and PR by 17s to claim an unexpected win on a big stage. Not only was it a huge breakthrough for me, but also a huge relief because I was not performing how I had wanted to that season.
What is your favorite meet in cross country season and why?
My favorite meet during cross country season is the Eye Opener Invitational in Spartanburg, SC. The Eye Opener was such a great experience because I had the opportunity to race all the best athletes in South Carolina on a great course. Also, my team and I got to watch a college race the night before which included some of the best teams in South Carolina such as Furman and Clemson.
What has been your biggest challenge in high school or what has been the hardest obstacle to overcome?
The biggest challenge that I have had to overcome in my high school career is not living up to expectations. I always try to set lofty goals for myself at the beginning of each season, yet failing to reach them has been very tough on me mentally. Now, I prefer to just live in the moment and take it race by race because I've come to peace with the fact that the future is out of my hands. Having this mindset has helped me be much more confident going into each race rather than worrying about the people seeded ahead of me.
What is your daily/weekly mileage like?
I usually run about 35-40 miles on race weeks and 50-55 miles on off weeks.
What do you think is the biggest part of training that has helped you achieve success?
Strength training has undoubtedly been crucial to my success. Being in the gym 3-4 times a week has helped me to be more consistent every race rather than fade. Also, I am able to start and finish each race better because of the time that I have spent in the gym.
What is your all time favorite workout?
My favorite workout is 1000m repeats. I think the 1k is a very good distance for reps and I enjoy trying to drop time each rep.
What is your least favorite or hardest workout?
My least favorite workout is hill repeats. I understand the necessity behind hill repeats, but they make my legs more tired than any other workout.
Who do you have to thank for your success?
I would like to thank my dad for my success. He is the reason that I have been so consistent over the years because he has constantly reminded me that I can achieve great things since a young age. Also, he has been a great coach over the past four years and has developed an incredible program full of incredible runners.
Who do you look up to the most in your event?
I don't really look up to anyone in my event because I prefer to focus on myself rather than compare myself to others.
What gets you pumped up for a workout or race?
I like listening to music before races. Listening to music helps me to block out everything that has happened over the course of the week and focus on the moment at hand.
What is your favorite food and/or movie and/or TV show and/or song?
My favorite food is chicken pesto pasta. My favorite song is "Purple" by Nas.
What will you miss the most about high school?
After graduating high school I will miss my friend group and all the memories that we have made over the years. From fantasy football punishments to a prank war with the class of 2025, I will never take my high school friends for granted.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to stay consistent, get in the weight room, and don't be too hard on yourself.
