Notes
I was seeded second in the heat with a fake time, and I think everyone was expecting me to lead because I literally jogged off the line and ended up in the lead anyway. Took everyone through the first lap in like 72. During the second lap Jay and Morgan went around me and clicked the pace down. I responded initially but after another lap or so I felt like I was straining too much and let them go. I pretty much just kept running 71 and 72 second laps and nearly everyone passed me, but around 1.5 miles in everyone was slowing down. I started to work my way back up towards the front. Some guy from Western Ill passed me and I worked with him for a while. With about 1200 left I could tell I was gaining well on the front pack, which was Jay, Sammy, and Joey Schultz at that point. Ended up catching everyone except the Western Ill guy who rolled me the last 800. Super fun last race as a Wartburg Knight.
Definitely some tough times along the way, but I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful college experience. Thanks to my teammates, past and present, for always supporting and believing in me. Special should out to Jay, Liam, and Collin who have been like brothers to me over the years. Couldn't have asked for better people to go through it all with.
Excited to keep building from here. Two weeks away from big times.