Stacey Eden is a sophomore at Shelby County High School. He recently finished 2nd in his age group in the 3000m Run at the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Knoxville, Tennessee. Stacey was the 2007 Mason-Dixon Games 3000m Run Champion. He was also a member of the National Champion 3200 Relay Team at the USATF Nationals in 2006.
Personal Bests
1500m Run: 4:12.56
3000m Run: 9:10.99
3200m Run: 9:53.38
4000m Run: 12:34.00
5000m Run: 16:23.69
KYtrackXC.com: Goals for 2007 XC
SE: Well, realistically 16 flat sounds pretty nice, and a long shot goal would be our school record which is 15:42, and I definitely think that is achievable...oh, and a state title would be nice too.
KYtrackXC.com: Favorite Race
SE: I’m definitely going with North Oldham’s Rumble through the Jungle on this one.
KYtrackXC.com: Favorite Course
SE: E.P. Tom Sawyer is always fun since it’s practically my second home because of the BMX track there.
KYtrackXC.com: What is your favorite event to run?
SE: If it’s a good course then XC, but otherwise it is the 2 mile and 4x800m.
KYtrackXC.com: How do you feel about your races at AAU Nationals?
SE: Well I’ll start with the 1500m. I wasn’t exactly pleased with my performance, but it was definitely a learning experience. My problem was that in my past races I started out in the back of the pack and worked my way to the front by the end of the race. But my coaches recommended that if I went out a little faster then I wouldn’t have to work as hard to get to the front. I think that would have been a very good strategy but I think I went out a little faster than I could handle and by time that 3rd lap came around I didn’t have what I usually have left. I just couldn’t compete with that top group like I wanted to.
In the 4x800m I was pretty pumped about my individual and especially my team’s performance. Being one of the youngest teams in that age group I think we represented ourselves well. We also PRedl. As far as my stick went I was very happy. I was first stick, and I think that race was a perfect example that I’m not just some little 2-miler with no speed and that I can have the endurance for half marathons and then still be able to bust a 2 flat split.
In the 3000m I couldn’t be happier. Since I’ve raced pretty much every single guy in that race at some time, I knew that it wasn’t going to be easy even if I just wanted to place, and the age group was 15 and 16 and I’m only 15 so I still got another year in that age group (the first place finisher is 16). I beat a lot of kids that I had never beat before, and I PRed in that as well so over all I was pretty pleased with the week. Oh and did I mention that it was like 100000 degrees there…it was HOT !!!.
KYtrackXC.com: Shelby County has a strong young core. Describe your team as a group.
SE: I wouldn’t rather have any other team because the past few years have been rebuilding years for us and now were starting to finally get a little older and faster so I think we’re going to be a team to keep an eye on. We are only going to lose one senior this year which is my brother Max. As far as the runners- they're great because we know how to have fun and goof around but when it comes time to work we get it done.
KYtrackXC.com: How will you handle the transition from track workouts in late July to cross country practice in August?
SE: I don’t think it should be too hard considering I’ve had to do it the past few years. I’ll probably just take a little time off and then once again go back to work and focus on XC.
KYtrackXC.com: Anything you would like to add?
SE: Look out for the killer class of 2010!!!
