Big River Interview: Josh Thebeau

Potosi Senior Josh Thebeau has had one of the most successful cross country campaigns of any Missouri high schooler ever. He dipped under the 15:00 mark at the Chile Pepper Invitational in Arkansas and along with teammate Josh Mathis will be taking a shot at Matt Tegenkamp's course record this Saturday in Jefferson City. Big River caught up with Josh a mere three days before State on what could be a historical day for the Potosi team.

BR: So how are you feeling?

JT: I'm feeling pretty good. We just did some tempo runs today to get ready for the State Meet.

BR: This has certainly been an incredible year for you and your teammates so far. Can you give us a little overview of the season and maybe pick out a favorite moment or two?

JT: This season has gone really well so far. God has blessed me and everything has been great. One of my favorite moments would have to be Districts when all five of us crossed the line together and perfect scored the meet. Also, Mathis and I going under 15:00 at Chile Pepper and beating Lane Boyer.

BR: Tell us a little bit about that race and how it finished up.

JT: He was with us the whole way and in the last .1 he was actually in second and I was up about 15-20 meters on him and Mathis outkicked him at the end.

BR: With some of the times that you've laid down this year is there a specific goal in mind for Saturday?

JT: Ultimately we both want to go sub 15:26 [the course record] but if it doesn't happen that's okay.

BR: Will the two of you work together and are there specific splits you'd like to hit?

JT: We want to come through the first mile in 4:40ish and try to stay relaxed and keep it around the same time for the second mile and just go from there. We plan on working together and helping each other out but if one of us is having a bad day or one of us is having a really good day then we'll have to be alone.

BR: Not to shift the focus too much from Saturday but will the two of you be running at Foot Locker Regionals and do you expect to be in the top ten?

JT: Yes, we'll be running Foot Locker. We plan on making it from the times we've run and we've beaten some of the guys who made it last year so we both want to be in the top ten.

BR: Have you thought much about your college choice yet?

JT: We've been getting a lot of calls from colleges. Right now our main focus is Oklahoma State University. They've really been calling us a lot. Also, John McDonell from Arkansas has called and he wants us to come down for a visit.

BR: So do you two plan on going to the same school then?

JT: Yes, we plan on going to school together.

BR: Obviously, you've been fortunate enough to run for a great team for the last four years and you've accomplished some outstanding things as a group. What does is it mean to run for Potosi and what will you take away from it?

JT: What will I take away? Well, one thing is teamwork. Even if it means I run slower if it helps the team I'll do it. It's all about teamwork and trying to be a team player.

BR: One last thing- will you guys be shaving your heads this weekend?

JT: Not this weekend, it's too cold.

Thanks for the great interview Josh and best of luck this Saturday, everyone's pulling for you!