_copy.jpg)
Throughout the summer, we will be honoring graduating seniors with our annual Salute to Seniors series! To submit your own questionnaires to be posted on the front page of PennTrackXC, check outthis page and email your responses to Dan Beck (daniel.beck@flosports.tv)
Today we salute Quinton Anderson of Central Dauphin East.
During his career with CD East, Anderson archived PRs of 18:45 in the XC 5K, and 4:56 in the 1,600 meters and 2:12 in the 800 meters on the track. Anderson reflected on his career for PennTrackXC.
-------
What was your most memorable race/competition?
I would say CD East Vs State College Duel Meet. It was first time I broke 5 minutes in the mile, I just wanted to do it for so long and I hardly ever ran the mile during track. So that day I just went for it and did it and I just think it set the stage for my upcoming cross country season.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
Definitely District 3 Championship in Cross Country, whew District 3 has SOO many talented runners, it's so crazy! And Foot Locker regionals, so many kids on a tight course who are just as fast, if not faster than you.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
The Mid Penn Conference in track last year, running the 4x8, I didn't feel that strong and just blah. We were first heat and I sorta caught glimpses of heat 2 with my mom. And once it was done I told her she can leave, she wanted to see if we medaled though and I just looked at her like "we didn't medal" but come to realize our 4x8 actually did medal at Mid Penns and I was just.......shocked like actually shocked.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
I would have started running in 7th grade first of all so I would be a bit better in high school. But as for during high school, I would say I would have ran more miles during the off season like I did this year, because seriously MILES HELP!
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
When I started to run, I could barely run 1/8 of a mile, and that was in 8th grade. I always was the slowest, running like 21 minutes for 2 miles. And in 9th grade, again I was the slowest (literally ran a 35 minute 5k during my first race and most of my races were near 30 minutes) and I just wanted to quit to be honest. Then the track season was so much better than my 8th grade season and I felt a bit more confident. I carried that confidence to my 10th grade season, where I was not the slowest anymore, and often would be near the varsity spot on my team. But then came 11th grade and I just didn't improve that much from my pr in 10th (only 20:46). I wanted to run under 20 for once, but I just kept running in the 20s for my 5k (so frustrating). And 11th grade My Aunt/Best Friend passed away which just made it hard to run. Before she passed, she said to be in the 18s for senior year and thankfully I did that :)) <3
What will you miss the most?
Ohhhh my lanta, my teammates!!!! Whew are they literally the most fun people to be around, just so funny and happy all of the time. S/o to 2017 xc team, best team EVER! And my track team too, they are like a family :,) just so loving and supportive. And lastly meeting all of the nice runners in the mid penn and district, seriously like they are the best people ever!
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Don't quit on something just because you're not the best at first, maybe the slowest or most out of shape, because trust me, your time is coming, and when it does, when you're one of the better runners, when you're one of the most in shape people you know, it'll feel amazing, humbling, and SOOO rewarding
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?
My coaches pretty much gave me something to prove, like I unknowingly made myself push harder just to prove that I was the kind of runner that was needed for the team
What are your post-high school plans?
Harrisburg Area Community College. More focus on school, not so much running but trust me..... I'll never be done running ;)
Any shoutouts?
Team of Niceness. You guys literally are the best people ever, specifically (ChristinE, Delany and Kenna). Chayce for being such a funny person in the short time I spent with him during track. All of the sprinters on my team yelling "MOOOOOOVEEEEE" usually when I ran the 4x8. But a specific sprinter who already graduated, Manny, because he's always be so nice and down to earth with me and supportive of my running, and he always said "oh no you got that" when I told him what I was running the day of the meet lol. And I guess Stephon too because I know he'd be butt hurt if I didn't mention him. And the kids from more local schools like Carlisle, Central Dauphin, Harrisburg etc......you guys are so amazing. Oh oh and I forgot, any kid who was on the line with me in track or xc and regretted stepping on the line like me, you guys are cool too!