Former Brownsburg High School star Scott Vicenzi is now a junior runner for Purdue University. Vicenzi finished third at the 2009 Indiana State Championships and was an integral part of the 2010 state championship team for Brownsburg. See what he has been up to in the past couple of years in this new alumni feature we like to call "Where Are They Now?
What was the biggest adjustment you had to make to compete at the college level?
I don’t really think any adjustment is needed in order for one to compete at their best. I think the mistake many athletes make as they enter college is to try and make too many adjustments at once. You need to treat it just as going into another high school season and learn from the experience as it comes. If you excel, great, you are on the right path and can be pretty sure you’re doing the right things. If not, learn from the season and I’m sure you will do much better the following year.
Is there anything you can tell high school athletes to better prepare them for the college experience?
First of all, make sure you are absolutely sure you are going to the right school and for the right reasons. After that, just take it as it comes and enjoy the experience. Do not put pressure on yourself and do not allow others to do the same. Treat running as you always have and you will continue to improve and be successful. Try not to become too involved in partying, none of that will matter five years after college.
You had a lot of great moments in your high school career. What stands out the most?
Some of my biggest races, and being able to be proud of the fact that I gave it everything I could at the time being, and therefore having no regrets.
What do you miss most about running in high school?
No pressure to perform, which can be a huge negative problem with many D1 programs, from the worst to the best.
What advice or coaching tips that you have gotten have been the biggest help?
With running, everything really boils down to individuality, consistency, and recovery. Individuality is key as it is crucial to understand that everyone’s bodies are different and respond differently to the amount and intensity of training. Consistency is key, as your body continues to improve year after year as you develop a stronger and stronger base. Recovery is key, the amount of pressure running puts on your body is enormous. Make sure you take lots of time off after your seasons to allow full recovery before you start back up. Make sure you have a give and take relationship with your coach, a coach is not meant to be a dictator. He is meant to act as a guide, and any good coach understands that. It is important to always respect and trust your coach, but it is just as important that your coach respects and trusts you and your teammates as well. Make sure that relationship works both ways, or else your team will not be as successful as it could be.
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Is their an Indiana runner you would love to know what they are up to and how their collegiate running is going? Drop me a line: TGrasley@milesplit.com.