Nic Butts Sheaner Relays Recap! 'Don't Count Out The Smaller Devisions!'

This weekend I raced at the Jesuit-Sheaner Relays for the first time! This had to of been the nicest/biggest pre-championship season races I've been to (besides texas relays of course). I Raced the two mile on Friday night. Me and my coach decided the week before that this would be the meet where I would want to run one of my fastest times of the season because of how many great runners would be entered into the event

But come race time knew that it would be more tactical because of how windy it was, my focus turned over to trying to win. I stayed towards the back of the pack because of the fast pace on the first lap and really was just taking my time because I knew we would be dragged across at a pretty fast pace. I saw Carter start to move and knew that he would be my competition coming down into the last couple laps. We really moved as a unit and I still was completely under control not really straining and I could tell some people were due to the slower lap times we were hitting. Once Carter took the lead I think everyone knew it was over (including me). But, somehow my legs kept driving and I found myself running side by side him, that's where it all went wrong. He turned on the jets and smoked me, but I was more scared of the people behind me than catching him. Although I was disappointed in not winning, I realized how far I had came just for this moment. My friends and I would joke last year saying that iIwould PR by a minute and be running with carter someday, (this was when it was difficult to break 10 in the 3200). Who would have ever thought this dream would become reality, and iIm extremely blessed to be where iIm at.

Shout out to the Melissa distance squad + Trace.

People keep asking me how I've improved so much in a year and I honestly have no clue. My love of running has never diminished even through really tough times, and I think that really describes my running style. I race very tough and emotional and I'm really not afraid to throw everything I have out there in a race. This race in particular was a great showcase of that as it was the first time I've been able to race a lot of the big faces and I hope I showed my competition that I know how to race.

The mile was a completely different race, we went out pretty quick for the first 200 and at one point I was dead last. By the time I worked my way to the front my legs felt like jello and my kick was almost non-existent, especially when Bryce flew past me with 200 to go. No excuses from me, just on to the next race and hopefully I'll race a little faster especially since we haven't started speed work yet!

My goal for this season is to show that us smaller divisions can't always be counted out and I hope to inspire the next person/group that it's not impossible and to always race with your heart as it'll lead you to something! Big things are coming this season and I'm ready to let everything unfold in my last high school season!

WATCH Nic Butts Race the 1600m & Bryce Hoppel's Incredible Kick

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