Our Summer XC Interview series concludes with Blake Haney. I interviewed Blake Haney in May as he was preparing for the CIF State Track & Field Championships, but that time already seems a world away.  After our talk, he went 4:07 in the adidas Dream Mile, was a double champion (1600/3200) for the Central Section and double State Champion in track (4:06.91 1600/9:01.65 3200). After state he went on to earn a spot at the World Youth Championships representing the USA in the Ukraine where he placed 5th in the 1500 in 3:44.69 (roughly a 4:02 mile equivalent).

I checked in with Blake after his busy spring as he readied himself for cross country. Blake battled a nagging IT band last fall which held him back, but he's heathly now and is anxious to attack the trails.

Scott Joerger (SJ): When I met you at Arcadia you said your biggest goal was to be double state champion in the 1600 and 3200. What was it like to accomplish that goal?

Blake Haney (BH): It was a great feeling knowing that all my hard work had paid off. Its was unlike anything else I had ever experienced. It was also a relief to finally make it a reality.

SJ: Tell us about your experience in the Ukraine representing the USA. What was it like to wear the Team USA uniform for the first time?

BH: Representing the USA in the Ukraine was an incredible honor. It was an amazing experience being able to meet and compete with athletes from all over the world. Putting on that singlet is a blessing and I did my best to represent our country as well as I could. 

SJ: I know the Bakersfield community has been very supportive of you this spring and summer. What has that meant to you?

BH: It really means a lot more than people think. Having such a strong support system truly motivates me to be the best athlete I can be. It gives me the confidence to compete with the best and be successful. They have had a major role in my success thus far and I am extremely grateful for their support.

SJ: You ran a 3:44.69 1500 at World Youth, which now ranks you #11 all-time on the US juniors list, and #2 as a junior in high school, behind a guy named Jim Ryan. Have you wrapped your head around that?

BH: I'm finally starting to realize the significance of that performance. It is a huge motivation to be ranked among the best in US history.  It has really motivated me this summer to keep working hard and improving. 

SJ: How does this season shape your goals for your senior track season?

BH: I'm coming into this next season incredibly confident in myself and my coaches. Track season is not for a long time but we're definitely going to take a shot at the 4:00 minute barrier. I would also like to defend my state titles and improve on my marks from the previous season. We are also considering US Juniors and hopefully Worlds after that. Once the season is closer I will have a better idea of what meets I will be racing in.

SJ: I know you attended the Nike Elite Camp recently. Tell us about that experience - what make it special?

BH: Nike Elite Camp is a very unique opportunity that I am grateful to have been a part of. It gives you a chance to meet and train with not only the top high school runners in the country but also the top pros in our sport. Nike does a great job introducing us to the professional facilities and different training techniques that are done by the very best. What makes it so special is the amount of learning you do in the 5 days you are there. It teaches you how to become the best athlete you can be. It is also a very good time. You make a lot of friends in the process. 

SJ: How is your summer training going? How is your training different for XC than it is for track?

BH: I got a pretty late start to my summer training due to my extended track season. But so far I have been feeling very good and injury free.  My XC training is fairly similar to track. I run about the same amount of mileage - probably somewhere between 50-60 miles this season. The biggest difference would probably be our interval training. In XC we do more tempo runs and longer intervals such as 2000m repeats and long tempos. We also very rarely run on the track during the Cross season.

SJ: What are your goals for Cross Country season?

BH: This Cross season I'm really hoping to stay healthy. Other than that my main focuses are on the state meet and nationals where I would like to win both.

SJ: Have you put any thought to whether you would pursue Footlocker vs. NXN in the post season?

BH: As of right now I am leaning towards Footlocker. It could possibly change during the season though.

SJ: When are you planning to start your season?  What big invitationals are you pointing toward?

BH: My first meet is on September 14th. As far as big invitationals I am running Woodbridge, Mt. SAC, Clovis Invitational. and then our post-season meets.

SJ: I assume you have been talking to colleges. Can you give us any idea what colleges you are considering?

BH: Right now my college choices are narrowed down to Oregon, Stanford, Georgetown, Arizona State, UCLA, Cal and Wisconsin. There are still some other schools I am beginning to get in contact with but those 7 seem to be the ones I will decide between.

SJ: What are you main considerations in choosing a college?

BH: When choosing a college I am considering how strong the school is academically. I'm also looking for chemistry between the coaches and the team.  I want a coach that will plan for my running future and develop me for the long term. I'll also factor in the area I would be living in for 4 or 5 years. 

SJ: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us and best of luck this season!

Read Blake’s Interview from May, 2013

Watch “Get to know Blake Haney” interview with Doug Binder