Friday Focus: Drew Hunter


This week's Friday Focus is with the recent repeat Virginia XC State Champion (just won earlier today). In this interview (before his win) he says he is going for the State Meet record, and he got it! Drew Hunter not only puts his name up there with some VA greats such as Alan Webb and Sean McGorty but he surpasses them. Get to know the sophomore class national 3k record holder in this week's Friday Focus Q & A.
 
How special was your Penn Relays win and Sophomore Class Record in the 3k? What did that day look like after how broke the record and got the win?
 
Penn relays changed my running career. It was my first national caliber meet and I came out on top. It was in front of a ton of people and college coaches. The next day I really just told myself, “You’re good at this sport” and it motivated me to train harder in order to run faster the rest of the year.
 
What did your NBON 2nd place finish do for your confidence and belief of what you could do in the next two years?
 
The goal going into the race was to win, so second place was disappointing at first until I realized how well I ran during the race. More than anything, it motivated me to not get second the next year.
 
You are going for a repeat State title in XC. Are you content with the repeat or are you shooting for a state meet record?
 
I am shooting for the record.  Hoping the weather cooperates.
 
You’d be putting your name up there with some of the fastest Virginia runners of all-time, such as Alan Webb, Bobby Lockhart, Sean McGorty, and Andrew Colley. What does it mean to be mentioned among those names. Are you fine with just that, or do you want to mark yourself as the best from Virginia?
 
It’s an honor and blessing to be listed among the elite runners from Virginia.  I hope to continue to improve over the next year and a half,  and then, maybe I will be the best, at least at some event.
 
What is the goal for the Virginia state meet? How do you see that race panning out?
 
I hope to win and set the course record.  I hope my team runs to their potential and can pull off a third place team finish.
 
Last year you got 16th a Footlocker South Regionals. Is your goal for Regionals to just coast through to Footlocker Nationals or are you going all out and see what you can do before the National Race? 
 
I’d like to take advantage of the fast course and win with a PR, but the most important thing is to qualify for Nationals!
 
If all goes well, what is your goal for Footlocker Nationals?
 
I’d like to win.
 
What have you learned about yourself this fall?
That, to me, winning races is more important than always trying to PR.
 
What race are you most proud of from this season and why?
 
Great American because it was the first time I broke 15 minutes.  And I won a prestigious meet.
 
You haven’t seen much competition this season, even at a solid race like Great American. How important is it to have competition in XC races? Are you chomping at the bit to get in a race with someone with you all the way?
 
I can’t wait to be in a race where there are people as fast or faster than I am. I am used to running alone and have learned to push myself in races, but it is a lot more enjoyable with someone right there to race against.
 
How do you feel you match up against some of the top guys nationally?
 
On any given day, any of the top 10 guys could win, I think.  Boys cross country talent this year is phenomenal and Footlocker is going to be amazing.
 
Do you feel like you are in the best shape of your life right now?
 
Best cross country shape, definitely.
 
Your dad Marc was a 13:36 5k guy and placed 4th at XC NCAAs in the late 70s as well as qualified for the 1980 Olympic Trials in both the 5k and 10k. Your mom was a multiple 800m State Champ in HS and has been extremely competitive in some Master races. How has their tremendous ability influenced you as a runner?
 
They have experienced high levels of competition and know how to prepare me.  I guess I have a good gene pool too!
 
Do you ever feel pressure to beat their times or accomplishments? 
 
My goal when I started high school was to beat my mom.  I took care of that pretty quickly.  Now I have moved on to wanting to beat my dad’s times.
 
 
What is the dynamic like with your parents as your coaches?
 
My mom writes most of the training and my dad is really good about the mental part.  He also collaborates with my mom if there is a question about what specific workouts would be best.  We all talk together to tweak my training.
 
Do you try to separate the coach/athlete relationship with your parents at times and just think of them as parents?
 
At practice, they are my coaches, and at home they are my parents, even though we talk about running a lot!
 
What does training look like for you without a real indoor season, how do you approach his season?
 
Well, the only advantage to not having an official indoor track season in my county (the only county in Virginia that doesn’t allow it, I believe) is that I will not be overraced.  Not much else is positive about it- I can’t run in any meets in Virginia due to sanctioning rules, and even other states won’t allow me to compete due to sanctioning rules, which I don’t really understand.  Last year I had to travel to NC and Ohio to find races I was allowed to run in.  This year, I really would like to run at Millrose but since I can’t run for my school, I can’t run in any of the qualifying meets.  It is very frustrating.  My training will be fine- I will take a short break after cross country is over and then start building a good base.  I hope to find a few meets I can run in, somewhere, that are competitive.  Maybe some open races.  Hopefully, in one of the races I will be able to run a decent indoor time so I can run NB indoor nationals.
 
Do you enjoy not racing in the winter, or do you get anxious to get out there and see where you’re at?
 
No, I hate watching everyone else get to compete while I train and at best, get to run in a couple of meets.
 
Can you share some goals for your track season?
 
I’d like to run low 4’s in the mile, 1:53 or better in the 800, and break the Virginia state record in the 3200 (8:45).  And to be undefeated.
 
What is your top running moment in your life so far and why?
 
Penn Relays.
 
Does your team have any fun traditions?
 
We have a kid on our team, Colton, who has an awesome Afro, so we all touch it before races for good luck.  We also have Alex, our team violinist, who plays before every practice and race and even on the bus on the way to meets.
 
 
What are some other things you enjoy doing outside of running? Give us a little insight into the life of Andrew Hunter away from the XC course and track.
 
Visiting Ohio to see my wonderful grandma <3  But really, I don’t have much of a life outside of running. Being a student and a runner is sort of a full time job.
 
Describe your favorite pre-race meal in detail.
 
My favorite pre race dinner is rice, pork chops, and a salad.  Simple but delish.
 
Who is the biggest inspiration for you in the sport, why?
 
My parents because they instilled the love of running in my; Alan Webb, because he was the first runner I knew of, and Sean McGorty, because he was the first high school runner I looked up to.
 
Anything else you would like to add..?
 
Follow me on twitter and instagram: drewhunter00