Moss in a patented anchor relay carry position at the 2015 Mustang Relays (Colin Boyle photo)
Ty Moss had one of the most celebrated, hyped, spotlighted, and action packed high school running careers in recent years... the former Naperville (Neuqua Valley) star dubbed the "Golden Child" during his senior year in high school for the many reasons mentioned earlier. Moss set up his fame at the end of the 2014 summer track season when he placed second in the AAU Nationals 800m with a blistering 1:50.52. That set up put everyone back in Illinois on notice when as a heavy favorite to capture his first half-mile title, Moss got the job done running 1:51.80. Now, a true freshman at the University of Nebraska, Ty is ready to start a new legacy. Moss was gracious enough to share a bit of content on the eve of his first collegiate track season.
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You of course had a hall of fame career at Neuqua Valley. Can you sum up your four years that ultimately turned out to be one of the best of all-time in terms of quality and dominance in the 400/800 arena?
Well what is there to know about my high school career? I ran the 800 and 400, and the ultimate goal was to become one of the best runners that Neuqua [Valley] has had and that Illinois and the nation has ever seen. Nobody was going to stop me from accomplishing this goal, so I worked and set my sights on a state and national title. And as the result, some would argue that I was one of the best 800 runners that came through Illinois and I am honored that people think that way.
It was well documented that you wanted to break 1:50 last year but you chose the team route (4x8/800/4x8) in the most crucial situations. You came up a tad bit short during the high school portion and had a shot during post-season but ran so-so by your standards. Do you regret not going after a few more high school personal bests before moving on to college?
I don't regret going after more personal bests during my high school career. When I was out on the track, what mattered was coming through the finish line ahead of everyone. If I set a record or set a personal best in the process, that was a bonus. My father and coaches at Neuqua Valley often told me, don't worry about the times, they will come. I also wanted to do whatever I could so that we could secure a trophy at state during my senior year. The 'Ty Moss Special' was what I was obviously best known for, and whatever scored more points, I was all for. Besides, that's what I been training for ever since my sophomore year.
Moss held on to win the 2015 IHSA 3A State 3A 800m title
Moving on to college, what was your first semester like from an academic and athletic standpoint? What are your favorite and least favorite workouts?
So far the first semester has been going well academically and athletically. Getting adjusted to the college academic life wasn't as big of a change as I thought it would be. I enjoy all my classes and getting used to the college schedule was easy, considering I only have two or three classes a day, all spread out from one another. Athletically, the workouts took some getting used to, but after the third week, I was accustomed to the routine our coaches had along with the intensity, and more importantly the expectations placed upon us. Right now my favorite workout would have to be cut-downs. They are fact but pack a lot of volume within the workout. And no matter where I go, hills will not be fun, especially out here.
What are you majoring in? What do you want to do with yourself after your athletic career is over? Do you have a favorite class?
Right now I am majoring in marketing thinking about pursuing a minor in Spanish. If I am not lucky enough to go pro in track, my dream job is to be a sports marketer for a major brand like NIKE or Adidas, or for a sports team like the Bulls.
What events are you going to concentrate on for this indoor season? What are your goals for your freshman year?
My indoor events won't really change. I'll be focusing on the 600 and 800 mostly and I'll be doing a few 4x400's. Overall the goal is to prove that I can run with any competitor no matter their age or the times they have run. I am shooting to make the Big 10 Conference team and placing. After that, the sights are set on NCAA Nationals and trying to repeat the same thing for the outdoor season.
You were victorious in your first collegiate race albeit an intra-squad one. What was that feeling like?
Winning my first collegiate race here didn't feel too much different than running at home. Although it was just and intra-squad meet, I still had to treat it like any other meet. I was a little nervous before warming up, and I told my dad this who was in the stands. He told me something that I will always remember when I'm here in Nebraska. Nothing is different here, you got to go out and race.
Tell us about having a roommate and college life. How is he and do you have fun outside of school and sports?
MY roommate is Kyle Bender, who ran with us on our relays back at Neuqua Valley, and I love having him as a roommate. College is very different from high school, and most people have heard the same thing over and over. Work in college is all up to you. You are a young adult now and you have to make the responsible choices on going to class and getting work done. You have a lot free time which is also nice. I get to see my teammates everyday and they became my closest friends here. We all hang out and go get food all time and hangout like anyone would. But at the end of the day, there is a job you have here and that's to get a degree.
Lincoln, Nebraska, of course, is vastly different from Naperville and the Chicago aura. How do you like it in Cornhusker land?
The 'Cornhusker Land' is amazing, I love it. The college campus and downtown reminds me of a bigger downtown Naperville/Plainfield for those who have been in the two towns. Lincoln itself is a pretty big city and its fun walking around downtown, which is only about a 10-minute walk from my dorm. Everyone here is friendly as well and on football game days, we all become united, crazy die hard Fans. It is a giant party all over Lincoln on game days, it's truly amazing.
-We would like to thank Ty for participating in our segment and we wish him the best of luck at the University of Nebraska.