SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Kevin Oliver (KO), a member of the cross country and distance track team, spent some time with SantaClaraBroncos.com (SCB) to discuss his past, present, and future experiences and opportunities. The senior from Tualatin, Ore. has earned a number of personal best times in events such as the1500m, 3000m, 5000m, and 10,000m.
SCB: As a senior, what are you going to miss most about being at Santa Clara?
KO: I'm going to miss a ton of things about Santa Clara, but mostly the people on this team. I've had more fun with the cross-country team than I ever could have imagined. All of my best memories from college involve this group, and it hurts to think about not being around them every day.
SCB: What sort of legacy do you think you and other
seniors will leave for the rest of the team?
KO: It's hard to say. Every year brings about a new team
with a new identity, and I can't pretend like people are going to
remember us forever. But I hope that people retain the genuine
enthusiasm and excitement that I have for the sport and for Santa
Clara athletics in general. I hope they remember to stay focused on
academics too. We've prided ourselves on having the top team GPA
for several years now, and it would be nice to keep that trend
going.
SCB: What are you looking forward to most about track
season?
KO: The competitions, plain and simple. Track meets are
the most fun events in the world for me. Everything about them gets
my blood pumping like crazy. I enjoy watching my teammates race as
much as I enjoy racing myself. This is the one advantage track has
over cross-country; not everyone is in the same race, so you get
the opportunity to see your teammates in action.
SCB: How did you spend your spring break? Did you do a
great deal of training or cross training?
KO: I had a relaxing spring break with my family and
friends, highlighted by a stay at Ben Demaree's
beach house with him and Andrew
Gaddis. We went to the Tillamook Cheese Factory and got some
ice cream, which was a nice treat. We also had a snowball fight. I
didn't get in as much mileage as I did during winter break my
junior year, but I stayed healthy enough that I didn't have to
cross train.
SCB: Do you prefer track or cross-country? Within
track, what is your favorite distance?
KO: Cross country usually appeals to me
more, but there's something magical about track meets as well. My
best distance is the 10,000m, but I enjoy watching the 1500m the
most, and competing in it on rare occasions.
SCB: Do you have a meet in particular you are looking
forward to?
KO: The SF State Distance Carnival is usually my favorite
meet, and it went great this year. We had 11 people set personal
records, and I ran maybe the best race of my life in the 5k. I'm
also looking forward to racing the 10k at the Mt. SAC Relays in a
couple of weeks. I've never qualified before, so the prospect of
traveling to participate in such a big and competitive meet is
exciting.
SCB: What are some of your goals for the rest of the
season?
KO: The big goal is to run a sub-30 minute 10k, and
hopefully qualify for the regional meet (first round of Nationals)
in Austin, Texas in late May.
SCB: What have you enjoyed most about being on a team
during college?
KO: There are a lot of amazing people with unique
personalities on this team. The friends I've made here have helped
keep me sane throughout my time in college. I feel blessed to have
been surrounded by some unforgettable people for the better part of
the last four years.
SCB: If you could run anywhere in the world, where would
it be?
KO: A track at Santa Clara University.
SCB: What is something people usually don't know about
distance runners?
KO: I think there's a general perception that running is
a simple sport; we just go out and try to run hard. But there is a
huge mental aspect, and a ton of preparation goes into approaching
races the right way. A bunch of us are incredibly superstitious
when it comes to pre-race routines. I've tried to move past that
this season. I feel like if I'm
enjoying myself, I'll run fast.
Most distance runners are pretty weird. That isn't a
misconception.
SCB: If there were one piece of advice you could share
with someone just starting out at Santa Clara, what would it
be?
KO: My general advice is always to drink a lot of water
and avoid drugs. Specific to Santa Clara, I think it's important to
note that there are a million opportunities to get involved in a
million different things. Do something that makes you
uncomfortable. You'll grow through the process and probably make
some good friends.
GO BRONCOS!