MileSplit - How is your fitness as you begin the 2013 season. What excites you most about the coming year of HS XC?
Obsa - My fitness is good. Definitely better than last year. This is going to be my first year running full time and my final year. I just want to do it big.
MileSplit - After competing at Nike last year and cracking 9:00 this spring, what are your plans for this season?
Obsa - My plan this year is just to listen to my coach, train hard & smart. It's going to be a tough year, but I'm ready for it.
MileSplit - When & how did you get started in cross country?
Obsa - Last year was my first year running cross country. After I got 2nd at state my sophomore year in track, my coach told me I should give cross country a try. I didn't want to do the sport at first because I thought I'd have to give up soccer, but my coach found a way to make things work so I can do both.
MileSplit - Person/people most influential to your success in cross country and why?
Obsa - My mom and my coaches not only my running coaches, but also my soccer and wrestling coaches. They'll do anything to see me succeed and they are always there for me.
MileSplit - What are the keys to your successful cross country training program?
Obsa - The key to our success is our coach is not a big fan of high mileage. He likes to keep it hard and short and we take our easy/off days very serious.
MileSplit - What are the keys to your team's unity and how you train to reach your goals?
Obsa - I know what I want and it doesn't come easy, I have to work for it. And for our team unity I try to be a leader. If I do an extra set of a workout everyone will feel bad if they don't so they do it even if they don't want to.
MileSplit - Your favorite past performance in a cross country race and why?
Obsa - My favorite past performance would have to be last year at NXN. It changed my whole life. It showed me that I can actually compete with the fastest guys in the country. People always tell me that I was good at running and what not but I just laugh it off. I never really thought about going to college and running, but now a lot has changed since last December. I show up to every practice and take them serious.
MileSplit - Who are the cross country competitors you most enjoy competing against and why?
Obsa - Everyone in Minnesota. The competition makes everything so much fun & makes you want to work even harder.
MileSplit - What are your goals for the 2013 cross country season?
Obsa - It would be cool if I finish up my last year of cross country with a state tittle.
MileSplit - Do you have any long-term goals in running?
Obsa - My long term goal is to go to a good college and run for a coach I would get a long with. Or maybe someday compete in some type of international race.
MileSplit - What was your favorite performance from the 2013 World Champs?
Obsa - My favorite performance from 2013 worlds was Mary Cain's performance in the 1500, Usain Bolt in the 100 with the lightning & Mo Farah getting the double!
The Fun Run
What music do you rock while working out…
Obsa - Hip hop
Do you like to run in the mud or the grass…
Obsa - It doesn't really matter
Do you hang out on Facebook or Twitter...
Obsa - Both
Do you like going out or chilling at home...
Obsa - Both
What gear is your favorite while running...
Obsa - Nike