On Site With Clayton Mendez: Big Goals For 2018


What a difference a year makes.

It was approximately a year ago that Clayton Mendez was coming out of his deep state that entailed losing a family member, health and family issues, and a rough cross country season in which he finished 79th at the state championship. Most runners would have folded their tents and never returned. The Whitney Young senior was able to clear his mind, body, and soul. Last February and drop a then US#1 9:01.89 3200m at the Proviso West Indoor Classic. It was that performance which launched Mendez into one of the most successful outdoor and later senior cross country seasons in the history of Illinois. The two-time xc All-American has some very serious goals for the upcoming season. How about sub 8:45 in the 3200/mile and 4:08 in the 1600/mile? it will be an interesting journey for the Stanford University bound Mendez.