With the 2014 cross country season just around the corner it's time to start our "Watch List" highlighting the top returners. Junior Mason Swenson from Desert Vista is our next Watch List athlete.
As the season starts we will continue to add athletes to the list.
Keep checking back as we highlight some of Arizona's best. Good luck to everyone - see you on the course!!
Journal Questions:
Name: Mason Swenson (Mason's Milesplit Profile)
High School: Desert Vista
Year of Graduation: 2016
Best time in a 5K and a 3 Mile Race:
5k: 18:58
When did you get started as a running:
I started running in 6th grade at my middle school as well as for the Cheetahs club track team.
Which meets will you be running this year?
Woodbridge, Nike Pre-Nationals, Twilight, City, State, NXR and hopefully NXN!
What are your goals for the upcoming track season? What do you look forward to the most?
My main goal is set no limits on any aspect of my running, to always strive to be better. The main thing that I am looking forward to this season is to see the outcomes for our team, and I am really looking forward to all of the Nike meets, and having the opportunity to travel for races!
How is your summer training going? Your favorite workout? What kind of summer mileage do you run?
My summer training has been going fantastic! Its has definitely been a very fun and productive summer of running! My favorite workouts were probably some of the tempo runs we had done and as well as the best of all, mile repeats! And this summer our mileage has been around 50-55 miles a week.
Do you cross train (lift, swim, bike etc)?
Yeah we do some biking as well as aqua jogging.
Do you follow any kind of nutrition program or watch what you eat?
I do not follow a certain nutrition program but I try to eat as healthy as possible!
Have you ever been injured?
Unfortunately yes, last season I had a hip injury for almost half the season which definitely had an impact on how the rest of my season went.
So far in your high school career, what is your favorite cross country race or cross country memory?
My favorite cross country race is Desert Twilight because racing under the lights is an awesome experience and the whole atmosphere is really fun. And im hoping to have a new favorite next year since I am racing in a few meets that I have never been to this year!
What is the best part of running?
The best part of running in my opinion is the amount of satisfaction and accomplishment you feel after a good race. Running is such a blessing in my life and if I didn’t take part in it I truly don’t know where I would be!
Out of all your running accomplishments so far, which stands out the most?
The accomplishment that stands out most to me is my races at the state meet for track last year, because the meets leading up to the state meet I wasn’t having the best races and I was getting pretty upset about it and I felt as if at the state meet something changed in me as a runner and helped me finish my season strong.
When you are not running what do you like to do?
Hang out with friends and family and train my horses for their shows.
How have your coaches influenced you overall?
All of the coaches at Desert Vista influence me every day to make the most of every practice, and my coach, Messer inspires me every day to strive for greatness and to trust in the process.
Shout outs?
Shout out to my mom and dad for helping me with everything, and being awesome parents!
Quick 6:
Favorite Post-race Meal?
Pizookie
Kind of shoes you train in?
Brooks Adrenaline
Flat course or hills?
Flat
Facebook or Twitter?
Hot or cold weather?
Cold
Favorite song at the moment?
"The Only Way I Know" by Jason Aldean
