Every successful athlete has unique attributes that make
them elite competitors. The Making a Contender series will showcase what makes
some of the best Pennsylvania athletes.
Colin Whitaker of Lampeter Strasburg is one of the top returning athletes in the state. He has already run a 5k personal best of 15:04.30 this season. This time was run at the Adidas XC Challenge, where Whitaker took 4th place. It also happens to be the leading time in Pennsylvania across all classifications so far this year.
When asked what kind of mentality it takes to perform in races like that, Whitaker stated, "When I'm competing, I think about not wanting to leave anything in the tank. I focus on the point in the race that makes the difference."
Good race awareness, such as Whitaker's, is a skill that truly defines an elite runner. He elaborated on his previous quote: "If I get in a pack and feel too comfortable, I know I need to pick things up. If the pack is pulling away, I tell myself to keep up with them so I can put myself in the race."
This mindset has done the junior well as he has already built a portfolio of accomplishments. As a freshman, Whitaker took 12th place at the PIAA 2A State Championships and followed it up with a 6th-place finish as a sophomore. Later in the fall of 2021, he took 15th place at the Eastbay Northeast Regional Championship, running a time of 15:46.60 on the historically challenging Van Courtland Park course in New York City. This race earned him second-team recognition amongst the best runners from 11 states and one territory.
Whitaker also has some impressive personal bests on the track. At the 95th Jack Roddick HS Invitational, he took the 3200-meter run win in 9:07.62. A week before that, he set a 1600-meter run personal best of 4:17.11, taking second at the Lebanon-Lancaster League Championship.
Race results like these don't just come from Whitaker's tactical mindset. He attributes his success to guidance from his father. Whitaker said, "My dad has inspired me the most. He has also helped me with not overtraining."
Having good lifestyle habits is another big thing for Whitaker, saying, "I focus on nutrition the week of a race and getting good sleep," he said. "I really emphasize the sleep, though; I usually get 8-10 hours."
Outside of running, Whitaker holds the title of Lampeter Strasburg Junior Class President. He is also involved with Model UN, an organization that allows students and young people to learn about and support the United Nations. Whitaker has an interest in studying law or political science after high school.
The young star is making an impact within the sport of distance running. With a powerful mindset and a smart approach to training, this is how Whitaker is making himself a Pennsylvania state contender.
