Braedon Palmer
Sunrise Mountain
Q: What does your training look like right now given the current situation?
A: All of the guys on our team meet up at 7 in the morning (if we all can) and run. We have stayed consistent with our workout program and are staying in shape to be ready to run as soon as the season resumes. I also have stayed on a strength training schedule to keep my strength up for the remainder of the season and into the summer.
Q: What are you doing to stay busy other than run right now?
A: I have spent a lot of valuable and fun time with my family, I have started reading my Bible more, playing golf and hiking.
Q: What was your most memorable race/moment?
A: My most memorable race was Cross Country State Championships in my sophomore year. At the time I was still playing baseball and I had not completely committed to running yet. I placed sixth at state and that was the moment that I decided to run full time. It was a great decision and I am so excited to continue at the next level.
2019 Division 2, Boys' XC State Championships - Braedon placed 2nd overall.
Q: What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career?
A: The funniest thing that happened was on a run in the desert. My teammates saw a snake that I had not seen yet and they screamed "SNAKE" and I screamed and jumped the highest I think I've ever jumped. It was hilarious afterward and my teammates gave me a hard time for a while after that.
2019 Fountain Hills Cross Country Invitational - Braedon took 1st
Q: Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
A: My biggest competition over the last four years has been Randy Espinoza. We have gone back and forth winning races and I have had a lot of fun competing against him. He is a great kid and friend and I can't wait to see what he does in the future.
Q: What was your greatest accomplishment?
A: My greatest accomplishment is being able to run at the next level. My dream since I was a kid was to be a Division 1 college athlete and then an Olympian and I can now say that I have completed half of that. I am very excited to be a Lope and be able to grow with a great coach and team around me.
2019 AZ Meet of Champions - Boys' 3200 - Braedon took 1st.
Q: If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
A: I wouldn't have played baseball for as long as I did so I could have focused all of my training on running.
Q: What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
A: The most difficult obstacle would be quitting the game I loved and played for the majority of my life, baseball. It definitely paid off but it was difficult at the moment with my dad being a coach and my brother playing as well.
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: I will miss all of my friends, teammates, and local competition. It has been a lot of fun but I am definitely ready and excited to compete at the next level.