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Minooka senior Joey Santillo finished 16th at the 3A Illinois Cross Country State Championships. Santillos time of 14:48.00 was a new personal best. This year he hopes to break a couple of school records, and in the process, prove a runner from one of 3A's smaller schools can reach the top of the podium.
How did you get started in cross country?
I started in junior high under coach Mike Devine. Thanks to those years I've realized I could go somewhere with the sport.
What has your summer training been like?
Summer training has been tough battling the heat, but its not like you get to pick the weather. I worked harder on cross training doing swimming and biking.
Do you have any favorite workouts?
Ladder workouts because they break down the race into parts. I can put more focus on parts i need to work on or want to get better at.
Last year you finished 16th at the state meet. Looking at the returners in 3A you have the seventh best time coming in. What makes 3A so tough?
3A are the bigger schools and bring alot of talent. I am not saying 1a and 2a don't because they have some studs, but 3a are the bigger schools and that means more competition. Being in one of the smallest schools in 3A makes it harder.
Do you have any crazy team stories?
There are to many to tell, but they all relate to SpongeBob SquarePants in some way it seems. We are all just a bunch of big little kids when we are together.
Do you have any pre-race routines?
During the warm up I listen to one song on repeat the whole time to get it stuck in my head for the race. I will never listen to the same song for another race. It is a different song every meet.
What meets are you looking forward to this year?
I've thought about them all and they all bring something new, but I have to say, I always look forward to the Sterling Invite because of the drum line that plays as we run by.
What are your goals for your senior season?
Well I'd like to break all of our school's cross country records held by my friend Joe McAsey for one. I'd also be lying if I didnt say I want to try and win state this year. I've already ran the race a hundred times in my head.
If you could meet any runner who would it be and why?
Evan Jager. He is my runner hero and he's an Illinois kid so that makes it that much better.
What do you like to do outside of the sport?
Outside of the sport I love to play Mario Party with some of the guys from the team and some who already graduated. Also, I love to draw and plan to become an art major in college.
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