Wes Gallagher of Pembroke enters the 2011 cross country season with more big meet experience than any other athlete in the state. After winning the 2010 Massachusetts Division 2 individual crown, and leading the Titans to the team title, Gallagher continued his month of lights-out racing at the Nike Cross Nationals Northeast Championships where he ran a nearly identical time with teammate Ryan Kelley to help his team advance to the Nike Cross Nationals. Gallagher now leads a much younger Pembroke squad in 2011, but his experience may help them race beyond their years. MileSplitMass had the opportunity to catch-up with the defending state champion to see how his summer training was unfolding.
Best times in a 5K and 3 Mile race?
15:18, and I haven't run a 3 mile race
Tell us how your training is going?
This summer has been going really well, we've had a good number of kids each day at practice. I can tell we're going to have a strong team.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
My goals would be to win All-States again as a team, and make it back to Nike Cross Nationals
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
The first year i ever ran was my sophomore year. I did cross country so I would get faster for lacrosse and I quickly learned how much I liked running.
After that I made a deal with teammate Joe Vercollone that I would do spring track if he did winter track because he was a wrestler.
Will you be competing out of state this season?
This year the team will be going to Bowdoin Park in New York at the begging of the season and we will be returning again at the end of the season for regionals.
Favorite course to run in Massachusetts?
Franklin Park
Toughest course in Massachusetts?
Northfield Mountain
Favorite Cross Country race so far in your high school career?
All-States my sophomore year
Favorite Cross Country memory?
When we came in second at Regionals my junior year. The top two teams make it to nationals and we had a chance to make it.
After the race they didn't tell you the results till about an hour later. Once they announced the results it was a big wave of relief and happiness.
All I could think was "we made it, all the hard work payed off".
I will never forget the moment when the top 7 was standing up together and the announcer said we were going to nationals.
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
I enjoy playing the guitar
Favorite quote?
"All it takes is all you got."-Marc Davis
Personal Bests
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1000 Meter Run2:42.50
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2.x Mile Run (CC Short Course)14:20.50
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Two Mile Run10:40.30
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5000 Meter Run15:18.40
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600 Meter Dash1:25.80
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800 Meter Run1:59.23
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One Mile Run4:18.28
