Vincent Stephen just finished his senior year at St. Xavier High School where he was a member of the Class AAA winning 4x800 Meter Relay team which also happened to break the overall state record with a 7:52.18. Last fall he was a member of the Class AAA State Cross Country Team Champions in which he earned Class AAA Honorable Mention All-State individually.
He answered some KYtrackXC.com Senior Send-off Questions below. If you graduated and are interested in answering the same questions, please email them to jonathan@kytrackxc.com
What was your most memorable race?
Partially because it's the freshest in my mind, but without a doubt it's the 4x8 at state. Words cannot fully describe how I felt when I saw Thomas take the lead on the straightaway. Things can really change over the course of a season, so sometimes you have to be careful with the goals you make at the start. This time though, the same 4 guys had one specific goal at the beginning of the year, and we realized that goal together. I will never forget how I felt at the end of that race.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
Well I've never been one of the true elites of Kentucky, so I've always had strong competition in basically any race, if not from other competitors, my own teammates at least. But if I had to choose one, it's hard to argue with New Balance Indoor Nationals. It's kind of hard to beat the level of competition at a National Championship meet.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments which stands out the most?
Again, definitely the 4x8 state record. It was just the perfect culmination of our efforts over the past years.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
I've tried my best to make sure I have as few regrets as possible in regards to running in high school, so nothing major. I just wish I had begun to take it all more seriously a bit sooner. I began freshman XC late, and I was somewhat lazy. I was always complaining to Coach Yochum about my ankle or my knee or my shins. I didn't take the sport seriously and just viewed it as a way to get into shape for lacrosse, another regret I have. I didn't run track freshman year, opting to be a lax bro instead. Thankfully, that didn't last past that year. Though in some ways, it was a good thing. I knew I was at a disadvantage coming into sophomore year, so I worked hard that summer, and really surprised myself come August. So sure, maybe the extra year of training would have been helpful, but honestly, I'm happy with how it all turned out.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
I've been lucky not to have any serious physical injuries over the years, but I think my biggest obstacle has been mental. My sophomore and junior years I saw pretty big and consistent improvements in my times and expected the same pattern my senior year with an added pressure. About the middle of the xc season, I hit a bit of a rut, and it was pretty frustrating. I have to thank Coach Medley and especially Coach Yochum for really helping me out here. Any old guy can write up workouts, but it takes a real coach to keep an athlete focused and ready to compete. Similarly in track this year, I wasn't seeing the progression in races and workouts I expected of myself in the middle of the season. I was really beating myself up about it, but Coach Medley worked with me and was able to keep me patient with myself and the training.
What will you miss the most?
More than anything, I'll miss my second family, the team. The most important thing I'll take from the past four years is not the success or training; it's the experiences I had with my teammates. Those guys are what kept me in the sport and gave me something for which to work. I've always said that the best decision I've ever made in my life was deciding to run cross country freshman year, and I stand by that. It changed my life in so many ways. It's hard to believe that I won't be practicing with those guys everyday anymore.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Nothing is worse than a "what if" that you had the power to control. Stay focused and make sure you can look back on your high school running feeling content. And please trust your coach. Sorry, but in most cases, he/she knows more about running than you. If you have any doubts, talk with him/her; I'm sure your coach will be reasonable. But above all, enjoy these four years as best you can. Don't get too caught up in everything that you forget to have fun with the little things.
What are your college plans?
I'll be going to Washington University in St. Louis to study biology/neuroscience and Spanish. I'll also be preparing so that I can enter medical school after undergrad. I'll be running for the Bears there along with Jack Grundy and am really excited to join the team.
