So many superlatives for this bulging superstar in the making: "golden boy of Illinois track", "Mr. Marketable", "Icon man" ... we can go on and on. But there is one label that does not fit Ty Moss: "Mr. Hype man." Nope. Ty Moss, the Neuqua Valley senior, beat all of the estimates and cashed out on nearly all of his coaches investments in him. He anchored his team to a 4x800m state championship last spring, he produced the fast 800m time by an Illinois school boy, and he set himself up in one of the most anticipated senior seasons for an Illinois middle-distance runner in a long while.
There was a buzz surrounding you more than a year ago despite you not running cross country. Could you tell us why? Did you do anything different in the off-season to stay in shape?
I was unaware that there was a "buzz" surrounding me a little more than a year ago. During the off season I lift and still do workouts such as ladders and sprint drills. I still go on [long] runs as well.
When did you get your start in sports?
I have been participating in sports for my entire life. I started off playing baseball when I was six. I have played baseball, soccer, and football, then I started track and set my sights on track and made that my only sport.
What goals do you have for senior year?
My goals for senior year are to keep my grades up and enjoy my senior year responsibly. It's the last year before we are off to college so I want to make the best of it. Also I would like to be a state champion in all my events and help Neuqua win state this year.
What is your dream college? What do you want to study?
I chose to sign with the University of Nebraska because I fell in love with it. The school was beautiful, it had everything I wanted for academics and their program is great and promising. Everyone at Nebraska are nice and caring and I know I would feel welcomed and be treated like family... I'm going to study marketing and hopefully get a career in that field, maybe some type of sport marketing job.
Who is your favorite teacher?
I don't have a favorite teacher at Neuqua. They all have supported me and helped me when I needed help. They are all great.
6. Do you have a special routine that you go through before each meet to prepare yourself mentally and physically?
6. When I get to a meet and start to warm up I always listen to music; it's just something to get in the right mindset to run and perform to the best of my abilities. I typically warm up by myself because I like to take my time and make sure to stretch and to get ready to go.
Tell us about anchoring your team to a state 4x800m relay title.
Being the anchor on the 4x800 was amazing. Once we got on that track I knew we all just had to race as hard as we could and good things would come our way. I have never doubted the abilities of the three other guys I ran with (Jeremy Stern, Nick Rafacz, and Conner Horn) and I knew if they gave everything they had, we would be in a good position. I had to do my part as well and make sure that as their anchor leg, I would not let their hard work go to waste.
Tell us about racing to a monster 1:50.52 at AAU nationals over the summer.
The race at nationals was a great one. I was nervous going into the race, but I just thought of my training and races in the past; I just had to do what I do best and the time says it all.
What is your favorite junk food that you refused to give up?
I cannot give up a good burger. I will eat less during the season but not completely give it up.
We saw that you caught the acting bug. Is this something that you want to pursue later in life?
The "acting bug" was just helping a friend out with a project. I have two friends (Joey Traverso and Will Ackerman) who are really into writing and making short films and I love to help out in any way I can. They both are great and we love to get together to make films.
What is your favorite workout?
I don't have a favorite workout haha! However, if I had to choose, it would be 600's or a ladder workout. It's those kind of workouts that you feel like you are going to die at the end, but I know that they pay off when it's race day.
