Matthew Kearney from Austin Westlake is the third fastest sophomore in the country. Last weekend at the Austin ISD Invitational he ran 15:34, alone to win. Although it is early in the season, the emerging star has not lost a race this cross country season. Last year Kearney finished 68th at the state meet as a freshmen. Read what he has to say about his training, goals for this season, and even some fun bonus questions!

Texas MileSplit: How has your training been going? Did you do anything different this summer to prepare yourself? What are some of the workouts that you've been doing to get to this point?

Matthew Kearney: Training began to intensify a month before the end of summer. We practice six days a week with a long run on Saturday and our day off on Sunday. In a week we usually try to get a couple of interval workouts in, ranging from 400's to 2400's as well as a few tempo runs.

Texas MileSplit: What are some of your goals for the season? What are some of your teams goals?

Matthew Kearney: Our major team goal for this season is to make it to the State meet and to compete

as well as we can there. We have a handful of excellent upperclassmen along with a very strong group of Sophomores that together, by the end of the season, have a very good shot at qualifying for and placing well at the State meet. Personally, my goals are to help my team get to the state meet this year and in future years. It is important we look ahead and try to maintain an excellent program for many years to come. To achieve this goal the varsity runners under the wisdom and guidance of our wonderful coach are trying to help the overall team improve as much as possible by assisting developing runners in harnessing their potential. This will help them move up to Varsity in the next few years and will assist in maintaining a strong program. My other main personal goals for this year are to finish top 7 in the State meet and to run a 15:15 5K.

Texas MileSplit: What will training look like from here on out, to set you up to reach your goals?

Matthew Kearney: Training will mostly be similar to what we've been doing since it picked back up at the end of summer. However, the best training we have is the meets we attend, so we will try to make the most of these, and we will be constantly learning from how they go.

Texas MileSplit: How does it feel being only a sophomore and running such a fast time? How do you think this sets you up for the rest of the season?

Matthew Kearney: It's really a privilege to be running well at the beginning of the season, but it is important to remain focused and driven for the rest of the season. I think the rest of our season is looking strong but we can't let up before it's over. It's great to be gifted with speed, but the true test is maintaining and increasing it; natural talent can only get us so far, so it is crucial we put in the effort and work to get the results we seek.

Fun bonus questions:

Texas MileSplit: Favorite pre race food?

Matthew Kearney: My favorite pre-race food is penne pasta and meatballs from Jason's Deli. It is a team tradition to go there the night before our meets, and that is what I always order.

Texas MileSplit: Favorite post race food?

Matthew Kearney: My favorite post-race food, surprisingly, is animal crackers. We have an animal cracker container in the shape of a bear that serves as our "good luck charm", and we fill him up and bring him to every race and snack on the contents afterward.

Texas MileSplit: Favorite course you've ran?

Matthew Kearney: My favorite course that I have run is the State meet course. This is probably one of the hardest courses we run all season because of its constant twisting and turning up and down slopes as well as the oppressive heat when we run. This challenge to me is what makes the course fun, and is what sets apart great runners from good runners.

Texas MileSplit: The coolest place you've run?

Matthew Kearney: Over the summer I went to visit a friend in Switzerland and did some running over there. The absolutely gorgeous trails and fresh-tasting air left little to be desired. Another great place I have gone running is in New Zealand. New Zealand has some of the best trails in the world and some of the most beautiful scenery there is. I was amazed by all of the lush vegetation, and their relaxing summer temperatures were a relief from the usual Texas heat.

Related links

• Interview with Matthew after first place at the Dripping Springs Invitational
• Watch Matthew win the Dripping Springs Invite here!

United States High School Boys 5K Soph. Rankings

Click here for Matthew's full profile!