He just closed out a strong high school career in the mid-distance and distance events. Servis ran personal bests of 1:54.82 in the 800 meters and 4:24.44 in the 1,600 meters. He was a multi-time state meet qualifer indoors and outdoors, frequently starring on Twin Valley's strong relays. In XC, he posted a 5K best of 16:09 from the 2017 Carlisle Invitational.
What was your most memorable race/competition?
Indoor track states, my teammates and I ran the DMR and placed 6th overall, after a season filled with lots of ups and downs we finally complete our goal of a state medal. I missed a week of training due to the flu only a few weeks before the state championships so a lot of pressure to run well fell on my teammates to step up and make up the time I lost. I could no the more proud of how they ran and how they stepped up to get the job done.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
The outdoor state championships my senior year in the open 800, I got blown out of the water by some great competition and placed 9th. It was my first time in that big of an open race and I learned a lot from that experience. It taught me to run with more confidence and don't be afraid to run aggressive or you'll be left in the dust.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
My open 800 school record, it was something I had wanted my whole high school career and to finally get it my senior year felt amazing.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
I would have made the mental side of competing a larger priority much earlier, it took until my junior year before I really started considering the mental side of running. I think if I would have changed that I may have avoided a lot of unnecessarily terrible races.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
I have struggled with race anxiety all of my career, which results in me throwing up before or during races, this created a lot of obstacles and definitely made me consider stepping away from the sport a few times. But without it I would not have taken the time to explore the mental part of racing and now I feel more ready for any obstacle ahead.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss all my teammates and my coach the most, we built a bond that I've never had on any other team, I'll miss the stupid arguments on long runs and van rides that we always got into, and I'll miss hanging in the hotel on overnight meets.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Relax and trust your training, keep working hard through all the ups and downs because it will eventually payoff, and live in the now because you'll never get these moments back.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?
Absolutely, Coach Holden dedicates himself to his team and getting us to our potential. Without him I'm not sure where I'd be right now, a majority of the credit for any of my success goes to him. He is not only a coach for us, he is also there for us in the classroom and beyond.
What are your post-high school plans?
I will be continuing my athletic and academic career at the Division 1 at La Salle University. I will be majoring in Accounting and pursuing my MBA.
Any shoutouts?
I want to shoutout my parents first and foremost for their never ending support for me, Coach Holden for helping me reach my potential and guiding me every step of the way, all of my teammates, past and present, for dealing with me and pushing me to be my best, and finally my Berks County boys: Ben Kuhn, Zander, Jonathan Thrush, Christian Gagliardi, Ryan Virgo, and many more
