The Best Of The West Athlete Spotlight

Feb 20, 2009

Spencer Chase (in red) surrounded by his family and coach, signs his letter of intent to run for Stanford

It doesn't matter what time of year it is Desert Vista Senior Spencer Chase spends a lot of time around the "Oval". Four years as a wide receiver and free safety for the Thunder, Chase will hang up his football pads in favor of track and field for Stanford University this coming fall.

Spencer Chase returns to track and field as one of the top returning sprinters in Arizona for the 2009 Track and Field Season. During his freshman year at Desert Vista, Chase ran the 400m and the 4 x 400m, placing 8th in both events at the 5A I Track and Field State Championships. The following year he added the 100m, 200m and the 4 x 100m.

At the prestigious Arcadia Meet in Southern California last April, Chase ran the third leg of the winning 4 x 100 relay just missing the Arizona State record. The State Record came in May at the Arizona State Meet, however, it was in the 4 x 400 relay where Chase ran the lead off leg. At the same meet, Chase was part of the 1, 2, 3 punch in the 400 dash placing second behind Allante Battle and ahead of John Kline, both now running at Arizona State. Chase also finished third in the 200m.

"Spencer is a very tough competitor," stated Coach Stanley, "He is a hard worker and the biggest challenge with him as an athlete is to keep him from over doing it and working too hard. He has matured physically as well as mentally, growing tremendously year over year and he will continue to improve steadily at the next level as well."

Spencer took some time to share her thoughts on signing with Stanford University and his upcoming track season.

PR'S

100m- 10.86

200m- 21.57

400m- 47.45

4 X 100 Relay - 41.35

4 X 400 Relay - 3:13.50 (Arizona State Record)

Allante Battle, Spencer Chase and John Kline in the 400 meter dash at the Arizona State Meet

AZTrackXC: Spencer, congratulations on signing with Stanford University. What was the recruiting process like? What other schools were you looking at and why did you choose Stanford?

Spencer Chase: The recruiting process was a real eye opener for me. Talking to all the coaches from across the country was incredible. Sometimes I was really tired from talking to the numerous coaches but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. The schools that showed the most interest in me were Georgia Tech, TCU, Yale, Georgetown, Boston University, and obviously Stanford. The main reason I chose Stanford was the combination of academics and athletics. I wanted to be able to have a competitive degree after my track career. It is arguably the best education in the country and it is in the Pac-10 for track. Plus you can’t beat the weather in California.

AZTrackXC: How long have you been running and when did you first get involved in Track and Field

Spencer Chase: I started track when I was in sixth grade running for Akimel middle school and have not stopped since.

AZTrackXC: How is your training going and what is a typical training week like for you?

Spencer Chase: My training is going great. I feel like I am picking up right where I left off last season. A typical training week usually starts off with a more distance sprinting on Monday (600s, 500s, 400s). Wednesdays and Thursdays are usually sprint endurance (150s,200s, 300s). Saturdays are our speed days (80s,100s). The rest of the days we do recovery workouts.

AZTrackXC: What are your goals for the upcoming track season?

Spencer Chase: State record in the 400m. Dual state champ in the 200m and 400m.

AZTrackXC: How do you prepare yourself mentally for a race and do you have any superstitions?

Spencer Chase: I try to keep the same routine for all my races and I just try to give every race the best effort I can. Yes, I have one superstition my friend Sammy always has to hold my blocks.

AZTrackXC: What message would you tell younger runners who aspire to be the best they can be?

Spencer Chase: Just have fun running, it is tough sometimes but in the end it is worth it.

AZTrackXC: If you had to attribute your success to one thing, what would that be?

Spencer Chase: The group of friends and family I have around me. My family was always there to support me through it all through track, school, and the recruiting process. My father never let me settle for what I had and always pushed me to get better. My teachers at school really worked hard with me to get what needed to be done to apply to Stanford and I would not have been able to get in, if it wasn’t for them. All my coaches from the team were tremendous. If I did not have them pulling the strings at practice, I wouldn’t be the runner I am now. Also, in the past three years I have been able to train with some of the best Arizona track athletes ever. (John Kline, Allante Battle).

AZTrackXC: Do you have any role models or mentors in track and field?

Spencer Chase: My Coach, Ryan Stanley, has been a great mentor for me in track and field. He has been to National stage at Arkansas and he brings back that mentality back to our team. He was a 400m runner in college and has taught me everything there is about running it.

AZTrackXC: Desert Vista High School has emerged as one of the top track and field programs in Arizona and in the country. What is it like being on such a large and successful Track and Field team at Desert Vista?

Spencer Chase: Being considered one of the best track teams in the nation is really exciting. It has been a blast winning the State and National Title the last two years. Also, it keeps us having a mental edge because we know we have the bull’s eye on our back.

AZTrackXC: What does your season look like? When is your first race and will you be competing in any out of state track meets during the season or post season.

Spencer Chase: Our season looks like any other season. We have a lot of dual and invitational meets. Our first meet is the Aztec Invitational at Corona. The only meet we have out of state is the Arcadia California meet.

AZTrackXC: Most Feared opponent or Person you look forward to running against.

Spencer Chase: Marcus Wheaton from Chandler High School, that 400m at States should be really fun.

AZTrackXC: Most of us only know you as a runner. What is one thing you would like us to know about you outside of running.

AZTrackXC: What is your favorite track moment?

Spencer Chase: Winning the 4x100m at Arcadia last year.

Quick Six:

1. Favorite pre-race Meal

Grapes and Beef Jerky

2. Meet you look forward to most

State Finals

3. Favorite Track Event

4x400m