Matti Groll
Desert Mountain HS
2013
Best times in a 5K and 3 Mile race?
3 Mile: 15: 37 Sole Sports 2011
5k: 16: 30 Scottsdale City 2010
Tell us how your training is going?
My summer training has been great! I go to Finland to visit my family every year so I had to run without the team for a month. I got back late July just in time for our summer camp in Prescott.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
I want to get my times down at every meet and hopefully run 15: 45 at Twilight. As a team, we hope to win our City Meet and compete for top positions in Sections and State.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
To be honest, I started Cross Country in 9th grade because the team didn't make cuts. But I ended up falling in love with it and it's been a huge part of my life the last three years.
Will you be competing out of state this season?
We'll be running in San Diego for the Mt Carmel race!
Favorite course to run in Arizona?
My favorite course is our City Meet. We have a great team rivalry against Saguaro and it's always fun to race against them to compete for the City Championship.
Toughest course in Arizona?
Definately the State Meet. Everyone starts out really fast and the hills tire you out pretty easily.
Favorite Cross Country race so far in your high school career?
My favorite race so far is Freshman Year Twilight when I ran the Freshman race. I ended up getting 4th and it was the first race where I realized my potential.
Favorite Cross Country memory?
Last year in California, my teammates and I were in our hotel room, and my friend Tucker Ammons accidently threw a cup of cream off the balcony and it hit a lady walking by. So we got in trouble with the hotel which was pretty memorable.
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
I like to hang out with friends and talk about running a little more than I should.
Favorite quote?
"Cross Country is like banging your head against a wall, it feels good when you stop." - 2010 Twilight Shirt
