Jacob Burcham Interview

by Coach McMillion

On December 4th, Jacob Burcham, a sophomore from Cabell Midland High School, got 16th place at the Nike Cross Country Nationals at Portland Meadows / Portland, Oregon in a time of 16:44.9. Here he talks about his most recent accomplishment at NXN and his quest for the four minute mile.

1) Can you sum up your weekend at Nike Cross Country Nationals?

I went to a national cross country meet known for its top of the line competition in the U.S. and placed 16th earning 3rd team All-American honors. It was a very fun trip and Nike treats you very well. I hope to go next year with Ona Elite.

2) How was the flight down?

I slept from here to Minneapolis, so it wasn't bad. Then from Minneapolis to Portland, I sat beside Tyler Tate, the 4th place finisher in our region and got to know him.

3) Being the first West Virginia runner to qualify for NXN, describe in your own words what NXN was like!

It was one of the best experiences of my life. Oregon is amazing, and the Nike campus is so cool. I got to meet knew people from around the country and everybody got free stuff from Nike, including customized racing spikes. I hope to go back, but hopefully I can bring a team next time.

4) What kind of training did you use to prepare for NXN?

I trained the same as I had all year, just extended it another month.

5) Do you feel that you were mentally & physically prepared for NXN?

I think I was prepared, but now that I have some experience at that level, I'll be more prepared next year.

6) What kind of advice did Coach Parsons give before your race?

He mainly just told me to expect the worse. It was muddy, wet, and running fast would be impossible. It was going to be a strength race.

7) Were you at all intimidated or nervous because of the caliber of runners?

No, I wasn't expecting to win the race, but I wasn't intimidated by anyone.

8) What strategy did you use at NXN?

I tried to get out fast, but under control. I tried to maintain a spot near 20th, then at the end make a move. Looking back, I think if I would've started out faster to get in with a faster chase group. I might have ended up in a better position to make a move.

9) Did the conditions (cold, wet, muddy, gusty) play a role?

They played a huge role. The winning time was 15:59, a very slow time for this caliber of a race. It was hard enough to stay on your feet, let alone trying to surge or make any quick moves to gain spots.

10) Can you tell us what are your top three XC racing accomplishments this year?

1st - Achieving 3rd team All-American honors.

2nd - Winning states as an individual.

3rd - Winning states as a team for the second year in a row.

11) How did it feel to be the top American sophomore and to get All-American?

Well, actually there was a sophomore from Kenya that just moved here and he finished second - Edward Cheserek. But even being the second sophomore, it felt great to know that I was 3rd out of returning runners next year to NXN. Also, getting All-American was really cool, that's been one of my goals since middle school, but I didn't expect to do it as a sophomore.

12) This has been a remarkable XC season! We had two West Virginia runners to qualify for Nationals - You at NXN and Cody Pelliccioni at Foot Locker. What advice or comments would you say to him for Foot Locker Nationals?

I'd tell him to go represent WV!

13) What are your future running and/or racing goals?

Four minutes for the 1600 meter run. I don't know when it'll come, but I always try to set my goals high.

14) Track season is almost upon us. What track meets are you working towards?

States of course, New balance Nationals...I think, and possibly Penn Relays.

15) Despite the difficulty, high school runners keep chasing the sub-four minute mile. Only four American high schoolers have run the mile in less than four minutes: Jim Ryun, Tim Danielson, Marty Liquori, and Alan Webb. You had to know that this question was coming sooner or later! Will you go after the 4 minute barrier?

Yes, I will! I think running 4 minutes as a Sophomore is the most difficult goal I have set for myself, but so far I haven't fell short. So why not?

Good luck to Jake in his up-and-coming track season! In his quest to break the four minute mile.

Jacob Burcham is coached by Chris Parsons of Cabell Midland High School.

Visit their website at: www.midlandrunning.com