Salute To Seniors: Mark Chandler - Bloomington South
What was your most memorable race?
My most memorable race was definitely this year's Miracle Mile hosted by Franklin Central. It's just one of the coolest meets/races you'll ever see and I was really grateful to be part of the "fast" heat this year. Nothing gets you more pumped than coming out of a tunnel of people onto the track with music playing and everyone's credentials being announced and just fans and fast runners all around you. I went on to run a PR 4:16.8 for the full mile crossing the 1600 in 4:14.9-4:15.3. My previous 1600 personal best was 4:19.4.
Who was your biggest competition?
I would have to consider my future teammate Jason Crist as my biggest competitor over the last year. We had a couple of good battles at the conference and state levels during cross country this year and in track he was the man to beat in the 1600 this year.I knew I was in for a battle whenever we lined up together.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments which stands out the most?
The accomplishment that I am most proud of in my high school career is my 20th place finish at this year's state cross country meet. I am most proud of this accomplishment because I feel that it is more difficult to get all-state honors in cross country than track because everyone is running the same race. This was also my first and only all-state honors I was able to earn so it was a really big day for me.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
I would probably just take better care of body; eat better, sleep better, etc. That's an area I've always felt I could improve on.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
By far the most difficult obstacle I've been dealt so far, unfortunately came a week before the state track meet of my senior year. I had just finished running the 4x400 at Regionals and as I walked off the track I had a sharp pain in my foot and could barely even walk. A few days went by and we rested it and iced it and all of that jazz but it just wasn't any better so we set up an appointment at Bloomington Bone and Joint and it turned out I had a stress fracture on the 4th metatarsal in my foot. This was a devastating blow because I had had an amazing season and felt really prepared for something big at the state meet. I talked it over with my coach, doctor, family, and friends and we all decided that I had to give it a shot and at least try to run. I spent the rest of the week leading up to state aqua jogging and in a walking boot and just tried to mentally prepare myself for the task at hand. Going into the state meet I had run a total of 9 minutes in the 10 days leading up to it. I limped up to the line and did everything I could to finish the race but I ended up dropping out after 800m because I just couldn't take the pain in my foot. It was easily the most disappointing and upsetting moment in my career but through the help of my friends, family, and teammates I've been able to get over it and focus on my next four years at IU.
What will you miss the most?
The thing that I'm going to miss most about South is my teammates and coaches. We've been through a lot as a team over the last four years and I'm sad I have to leave such a great group of guys.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
No socks with your spikes.
What are your college plans?
I will be attending and running for Indiana University next year.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I would just like to thank my teammates, friends, coaches, and family for supporting me over the last four years.
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Want to be featured in our Salute To Seniors series? Drop me a line: TGrasley@milesplit.com and answer the questions above! Congratulations to the class of 2012 on all their hard work and success.