Over the course of this fall season, we look to learn more about the Senior Class of 2017 and pay homage to their hard work and dedication throughout their high school careers. Each week, we hope to share a new senior and give you a better understanding of the runner behind the singlet!
Cameron Correia is a Senior at Holyoke HS and is our first Senior Spotlight! In today's feature, Cameron shares his path to becoming a runner, toughest workout, and much more! Most recently, Cameron kicked off his senior year with a 16:07 4th place performance at the 2016 Amherst Invitational.
1. You are now at the start of senior year and have started your final cross country season. How did you get involved in the sport? What are the biggest differences from your first season and now?
When I was in 9th grade I played soccer for the fall season. I didn't know anything about cross country. The only running I did that year was indoor track and the coach of indoor track was also the coach for XC. He kept bugging me about doing cross country and I really wasn't into it at all. My teammates also weren't into it because when I finally gave into doing it one leaned over to me and said "You have know idea what you are getting yourself into." So the first year of me doing cross country was Sophomore year. I feel that my body has changed drastically for the better since I started Cross Country.
2. Can you tell us your favorite meet and why?
I love alot of different races but definitely my favorite has to be the state championship for Cross Country. That day just makes me feel so accomplished and it really makes me feel glad to be a competitor. My team always has pancakes in the morning for carbohydrates and then we all go together to the meet. It's a amazing experience to compete on that level and it is a experience I will not forget.
3. What has been your toughest (mental or physical) workout?
I have faced a variety of tough physical and mental workouts, but I'd have to say the one I hated the most was a 4x1 mile at about 5 min pace with about 5 min rest in between each mile. That is one of the hardest workouts that I accomplished, but it's still just one of many challenging workouts that push me to be the best I can possibly be. My coach tries to make the workouts that we do harder than the races and the workouts are definitely harder than race day.
4. Do you have a favorite pre-race meal?
Usually on race day I try to eat about 2 hours before my race but usually eight before my race I have a banana or a granola bar. It's usually something small because I don't want to have anything big in my stomach. Usually when I don't follow that I have either cramps or I don't do the best I can because I have a bunch of stuff in my stomach.
5. What athlete in our sport do you look up to the most?
The athlete I always look up to for everything to do with running is my coach. He has been in the same exact shoes I'm in (racing and training wise), and he has always been there for me to push, help, support, and guide me in the right direction no matter if it's in running or life. He is a successful person in life and in running and has persevered through 3 knee surgeries and has kept being an awesome coach.
6. What are you major individual and team goals?
My major individual goal is to win the individual title for Western mass and finish in the top 10 at the state championship, but I know I'm not going to get any of that without working every day and taking every workout one step at a time. My team goal is for us to win the team title for Western mass and to place top 10 in the state meet once again, as we took 8th last year.
7. If you could join any professional running group, where would you go and why?
(i.e. Bowerman Track Club, Oregon Project, NJNY, Big Bear Track Club etc)
When I first starting running I really admired the Oregon Project because they always had such great and talented runners run for them and I always really liked their uniforms!
