Big River Interview: Rick Elliot

Springfield Kickapoo's Rick Elliot enters the 2006 State Meet as a bit of a darkhorse after spending the last two weeks dealing with a hamstring injury. Before that he was considered a certain top 5 contender. A frequent poster on internet message boards Elliot is known for his self-confidence and we asked him about that as well as how he sees the Class 4 boys race shaking out when we caught up with him Thursday night.

BR: So tell us about this injury. What is it and how is it doing as you get ready for Saturday?

RE: Well, it's right where my hamstring connects to, well, my butt and it is just a growth thing. It causes my hamstring to tighten up. It was cold at Districts and I strained it there. I wasn't able to do any speedwork the week of Sectionals and I just took it easy there. Yesterday was my first speedwork in two weeks.

BR: So is the plan then to let it all loose on Saturday, all systems go?

RE: Yes, I'll be shooting for top three. Top three or nothin'.

BR: Judging from your posts on Mohsrunning.com you are kind of a running nerd like me (and I mean that in a good way) so handicap the race for us. How do you see things shaking out.

RE: I am not looking to push the pace. I actually expect Phillip King to be pushing the pace. I see Quigley trying to separate from Rood at some point like he did at Rim Rock, at least I heard that's what he did at Rim Rock. I know that Rood has a good kick so I'll try to stay with Quigley when he separates.

BR: Having run at the State Meet before and knowing the course is there a particular time you think you can lay down out there?

RE: I'm not really worried about times. I mean all I really care about is place so times aren't really the matter for me. I mean I'd like to see something close to Tegenkamp's record but who knows how it will go.

BR: You've been a little banged up the last couple weeks but before that tell us about your training and what you've done to be prepared for this part of the season.

RE: At the beginning of the season we do a lot of quarters, Mile Repeats, Tempo Runs. I really love the Tempo Runs...and the Long Runs but I pretty much do those by myself now. Last year I had Herman [Sanderson] to train with. Then at the end of the season we do more speed stuff like before Districts we did 400s and before Sectionals we did 200s. That's what we did yesterday too, 4 x 200.

BR: Even coming off an injury you seem pretty confident and that kind of seems to be your reputation. Tell us a little about where that comes from.

RE: All my friends and teammates say I'm pretty cocky but that's just how I am. In middle school there was this kid that always beat me in every race. I didn't really know what I was doing back then but I hated losing. That kid plays soccer now but I think losing to him taught me a lot and Coach has taught me a lot about training and racing. I've been brought up with sports since I was four years old. I played Basebell, Soccer, Basketball...everything was a competition for me. I just have to win at all costs.

Thanks for a great interview Rick. Best of Luck on Saturday!!