"Ears" What They Had to Say

An Interview with Sophomore Seth DuBois

November 6, 2003

Sophomore stand-out Seth DuBois, has blistered through the trails of the courses he�s run this season enroute to a berth in the NYSPHSAA Class A Cross Country Championships this Saturday at Marcus Whitman High School near Rochester. GuilderlandXC.com�s, Mike Poole recently had the opportunity to speak with DuBois about his accomplishments thus far this season and his goals for the future. DuBois is one of three representatives from Guilderland going to the meet this weekend, as teammates Brian Rhodes-Devey and Megan Lynch will toe the line as well. DuBois hopes his performance at States will give the Guilderland boy�s team an even stronger chance at getting a bid for the NYS Federation Cross Country Championships held November 15 at Wappingers Falls�, Bowdoin Park.

Mike Poole (MP): You had a great race at Sectionals last Friday, which was good enough to qualify you for States. At what point during the season did you feel as though you were more than capable of making the State Class A Championships, if at all?

Seth DuBois (SD): Thanks Mike! The thought of going to States started around Albany counties. I knew that I had the chance to go, but also that the competition was going to be extremely tough in qualifying. In the beginning of the season I was hurt so I really wasn't focusing that much on the larger meets. Later in the season as I was able to run, I noticed that my injury hadn't set me back that much, so at that point I started thinking more about States.

MP: What are some of the things you are doing this week in order to prepare for the meet on Saturday? Has Coach Oates changed anything up?

SD: I have noticed that we have been doing lots of distance workouts consisting of 8-mile runs, 45-minute runs, or 5-mile runs. The other part of the workouts have been speedwork; we have only done 2 of these. I really don't find much of a difference, although they are more intense.

MP: How do you feel Guilderland's chances are for receiving a bid for the Federation Meet later on this month?

SD: I feel that our chance of getting to Feds is pretty favorable. Coach Oates has been telling the team that the people who choose the teams to go to Feds are looking more at the races towards the end of the season...The ones that show how the team�s strength is presently. If that's the case, our results at Suburbans and Sectionals should say something about the team...leading for at least an argument about us getting there.

MP: I'd say so! What are your goals for Saturday's race?

SD: Since I've never been to States before I really don't know what to expect. I'm not sure what place I'm looking at or time because I also haven't run this course either. Mainly my goal is to have a good race, which I am satisfied with � a race that will help the team [qualify for Feds].

MP: Fair enough...how did you initially get into running?

SD: Initially I started running in 7th grade Cross-Country with Ms. Quattrochi as my coach. In middle school, I was a decent runner, but last year was when I really started getting interested in running.

MP: What do you suppose is the single greatest factor that can be attributed to your success this season?

SD: Definitely my teammates. All of the encouragement has really helped me out, but the one biggest factor was the inter-team competition. If I didn't have people to push me I know I would not be anywhere close to how I am right now.

MP: That's great...it seems from the message boards that the boy�s team has developed a great camaraderie between one another. Is it safe to assume that to be true? What do you suppose has lead to such great interaction between all of you?

SD: Yeah, our team is really close. What contributes to that is how our season never really ends. Most of the boy�s team does indoor track and outdoor track as well. And then when the school season is over we train during the summer, so we see each other almost everyday...it keeps things fun!

MP: Team-wise, what do you think has been the most successful race to date this season?

SD: Hmmm...I personally think that Suburbans was the best race our team had this season. In Suburbans, just about everyone PR'd! If you look at the results sheet you can realize how much the team had worked before-hand.

MP: Okay individually now...what do you feel has been your best race this season?

SD: Sectionals was probably my best race of the season, as well as the closest. During most of the race I was running with Shaffer [of Bethlehem] and Smerkers [of Shen] and those two pushed me the whole way.

MP: What are your plans for this coming winter? Will you run indoor track?

SD: I'm definitely doing indoor track, I don't feel that I can afford to miss a season at this point. Also it�s just a fun time to hang out with friends.

MP: Ah, those were the days...Looking ahead (but not too far ahead), what are some of the goals you hope to achieve in the forthcoming seasons?

SD: Well...I definitely want to go to States my junior and senior years. Something I feel that is within reach is to win Sectionals next year. I feel I can do this with strong training and just being smart. Most of all, I really want our team to do well next year. I know we can be Sectional Champions and everyone else knows too...we just have to work together to achieve this.

MP: Finally, to change things up a bit...Think about all of your teammates. Tell me about the first person that comes to your mind and what is it about this individual that makes them stick out?

SD: I'd have to say Brian [Rhodes-Devey] sticks out the most. I owe a lot to him. We have been competing with each other ever since the start of my freshman year. A lot of my inspiration comes from Brian during races and practices, either to keep up with him, stay with him, or beat him. I feel it's so great to have someone who has the same potential as me, who's almost the same age as me.

MP: Thanks for the interview Seth. Best of luck to you this weekend and beyond! We look forward to watching your career!

SD: Thanks Mike, I appreciate you doing this for the website!

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