Today, we salute Connor Volk-Klos of Seneca Valley.
Volk-Klos transferred to SV from Mars Area a few years ago. He has since emerged one of the state's strongest distance runners. Volk-Klos was apart of Raider XC teams that placed sixth and fourth over the last two years, respectively, at the state meet in AAA. He was 30th individually at the state meet this past fall. He holds a 5K best of 16:05 from 2017.
On the track, he was a multi-time state meet qualifier. He ran 4:16.87 to take ninth in an historically fast 1600 final at the PIAA Championships.
Volk-Klos, an Edinboro recruit, reflected on his career for PennTrackXC.
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What was your most memorable race/competition?
My most memorable race was the 4-x mile at NBNI. I just came off a bad race at indoor states and wanted to end the season on a high note. Sam Owori led off our race with a 4:24 split even after dropping the baton. He handed off the baton in fourth and I just started cruising. I took over the lead after the first lap and ran my best full mile of the year at 4:23.5. I was so pumped. My biggest mistake at states was not leading the whole race, and I proved to myself there I could.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
The biggest competition I faced throughout the years was others doubts. They liked to settle in my head and make me question everything.
Out of all your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
Coming from being a nobody at Mars to a contender at Seneca Valley.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
I have a lot of regrets over the years about my high school athletic career. The biggest regret I have is not taking charge of my career and future sooner. A lot of my training in my early years was horrible and I didn't start progressing until the end of my sophomore year. This was when I started adjusting my training plan to match my needs.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
My most difficult obstacles were believing in myself and figuring out how to train myself. Everyone's body is a little different and people need different things. Coaches train to the masses. You need to find out what works for you and build upon it. Coaches are always there to ask questions and get help.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss the friends I made along the way. Running brought me out of my shell and helped shape me into the person I am today. I gained so many new and wonderful friends from this sport. I wouldn't know what to do without it.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Believe in yourself above all else. If you don't believe that you are the best runner out there, you will never win.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?
Coach Dosch and Strelick taught me valuable life lessons about family, hard work, and how to be a better person. These lessons with stick with me for life as I meet new obstacles head on.
What are your post-high school plans?
I will attend Edinboro University where I will study Pre-Med. I will also be a part of the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. Go Scots!
Any shoutouts?
Shoutout to Coach Strelick and Dosch for accepting me onto the team like I had been there for years. Shoutout to my Seneca Valley teammates (too many to name) for treating me like family. Shoutout to Christian Fitch, Joey Buehner, and Greg Overbeck for being my lifelong track friends. Lastly, shoutout to my mom for always believing in me no matter what.
