(Kole Mathison breaking the tape at the Champs Sports National Championships to win his first national title at Balboa Park in San Diego. - Photo by Phil Grooms)
Kole Mathison - Carmel High School - Q+A
Indiana's most recent superstar turned the running world upside down with his individual national title at Champs Sports Nationals a couple weekends ago. The Carmel High School senior has had a tremendous career and it feels as if we are now running out of adjectives to describe the run he has been on over the last year plus.
MileSplit Indiana reached out to Mathison in hopes to get to know the Greyhound Star better, in and out of running.
Below you can find the full Q+A session with the recently crowned National Champion.
Q1: How did you get your start into running, what were your first impressions of the sport when you started?
Kole: My sister ran cross country in 4th and 5th grade and I thought it was the coolest thing. When I was finally in 4th grade I signed up for Pups Running, which is what it was called. There were 3 races, 3 weeks in a row, all run at the 2k distance. In my very first race I went out and crossed the line first. It was an unbelievable feeling. It wasn't like I hadn't won anything before that, there was just something different about it. Something so simple. It was just you pushing yourself to your absolute limit. I was hooked, and it sparked the beginning of my running career.
Q2: What is a typical training week like for you?
Kole: When all things are clicking and I'm healthy I'll be hitting 50-60 mile weeks. Usually a LR on Monday, then a workout Wednesday or Thursday, race Saturday, and recover Sunday. With mileage days sprinkled in between.
Q3: What is your most memorable race in High School so far?
Kole: Probably the State Championships in cross country this year. Finally winning the team title after trying for 4 years was such a satisfying feeling. And coming away with the individual win with Tony right behind me in 2nd put the icing on the cake. Although I will say, Champs XC is a very very close 2nd.
Q4: What is your favorite workout?
Kole: Every workout. Everyday's a day to get better. Whatever workout is on the schedule for the day is my favorite workout at that moment. I enjoy anything that makes me a better runner.
Q5: Who is your biggest role model?
Kole: My dad has had a big influence on me not just as an athlete, but as a person. He's definitely a big role model in my life.
Q6: What are you looking forward to most the rest of your senior year before you head off to college next fall? Any goals or key races you have circled on the calendar the rest of the way?
Kole: The U20 XC Championships in Virginia is something that I'm super excited for. The goal is to finish top 6 and qualify for the World team which will compete in Australia a month later. I've always wanted to rep the USA.
Q7: If you could go on a run anywhere with anyone in history alive or not assuming you can keep a conversation pace, who would it be and where would it be?
Kole: Probably Prefontaine in Kenya. It's a person I'd love to talk to, and a place I'd love to see.
Q8: You have committed to Colorado for after High School, what stood out about Colorado and where else were you considering? What are you most looking forward to in college in the years to come?
Kole: I was considering a couple other schools. It ultimately came down to Stanford, Notre Dame, and Colorado. Boulder was the place that felt the most like home. It just felt like God was calling me there. It's a special place with amazing people. I'm super pumped with my decision. I can't wait to get out there and get on the grind with the rest of the buffaloes.
Q9: Favorite Subject in School?
Kole: AP Bio. I've always enjoyed science. There are so many fascinating things that I've learned and am continuing to learn.
Q10: What is something unique that not many people know about you?
Kole: I lived in China for the first 2 ½ years of my life. My parents were missionaries for CRU and we lived out there for a bit before returning home to Indiana.
Q11: What do you most enjoy doing in your free time outside of running?
Kole: Playing other sports. I'm a really competitive person and I've grown up playing almost every sport. Competition is something I love, almost too much at times.
Q12: What are you going to miss most about running for Carmel?
Kole: The atmosphere of being with 150 guys on one team. Having 100+ guys cheering you on through races is something special. It's an aspect at Carmel that I'm truly going to miss.
Q13: What's the best part about competing at meets like NXN and Champs (Formerly Foot Locker/Eastbay)?
Kole: Being surrounded by the best competition in the country. It's a blessing to toe the line with so many talented runners. It honestly brings out the best in me. Getting to know them as people too is a really neat thing.
