Dalquist's check list includes big weekend for Keller relays & return trip to UT in May

Mar 28, 2014

Despite having some of the fastest times in the country at 1600 meters (US #7 4:11.97), 3200 meters (US #3 9:00.49), and 5000 meters (US #3 14:48.41), Keller High School (TX) senior Austen Dalquist has remarkably yet to qualify for a Texas State Outdoor Championship meet individually. Dalquist is looking to rectify that this spring as he did in cross country making it the biggest stage in his state and finishing 3rd in the Texas 5A state cross country race. The University of Arkansas signee will look to end his outstanding March of races on a very high note this weekend at the Texas Relays as he will be featured on the Keller boys distance medley relay on Friday and 4x800 meter relay on Saturday, which each quartet hopes to prove themselves as not only the best in Texas, but one of the fastest relays in the nation. MileSplit US interviewed Dalquist after his 4:11/9:00 double last weekend at the Jesuit-Sheaner Relays and prepared for one of his final invitational meets in relay action prior to tackling the always difficult and competitive championship season gauntlet of district and regional meets in the Lonestar state.

MileSplit US interview with Keller High School (TX) senior distance runner Austen Dalquist

MileSplit US: Let's first talk about your double this past weekend with the 4:11 1600 and 9:00 3200. Break down how each race played out and went for you?

Austen Dalquist: I felt pretty good leading up to the 3200. I got out in front and had Carter Blunt hanging in behind and I was able to bring it home hard. It was very difficult but I felt smooth. I did not really know what to expect from the 1600. I was feeling it a little bit from earlier, but I gained control of the race from the start and was able to hold everyone off on the last lap where I went 57. I went 59 on the last lap of the 3200. They both went well and I felt confident that I could finish quick.

MileSplit US: You have to have a lot of confidence especially running the 9:00 3200 PR the same day as a 4:11 1600. Feel much more confident about breaking 9 minutes this spring?

Dalquist: I feel very confident about breaking 9 this spring. I feel once I taper a little bit and come off the weights I can open up.

MileSplit US: What kind of training have you been doing over the last month or two gearing up for the outdoor season?

Dalquist: I've been getting in some good hard mileage and have just begun to put in some speed work. Along with some core and gym work, it has worked very well for me.

MileSplit US: You just missed out qualifying for the Texas state meet last spring. Is that disappointment from a year ago a big motivator for you this spring to get over the hump and make it to the state meet?

Dalquist: Just missing state is definitely a big motivation for me. I just want to make it there and have a shot at the titles.

MileSplit US: Who will be your top competition to advance out of the regional meet onto the state championships?

Dalquist: My top competition from regionals would be the Southlake boys Jacob Pickle and Connor Hendrickson as well as the Flower Mound boys Zach Hamstra and Wesley Ward.

MileSplit US: You had a good streak of major wins in the cross country season. Talk about that streak of victories and what was going rright for you in that stretch of races?

Dalquist: During cross country I felt great, especially early on. I just attacked each race and gave it all I had. I would assume a position toward the front early, work in that pack and then try to out kick everyone toward the end.

MileSplit US: How did you finish with your end to the cross country season in a 3rd place showing at the state meet and 10th place at the NXN South Regional?

Dalquist: I was pleased with my state and NXN South finishes as it was the first time I raced those and the season went that deep for me. I was feeling the long grind and did not finish exactly as I wanted, but I definitely did give it my all and thats all I could do.

MileSplit US: In one of your first meets from the outdoor season, you ran a rare 5K on the track with a big PR of 14:48. What was that like running a 5K on the track instead of on an XC course and how pleased were you with that race?

Dalquist: It was awesome running a 5K on the track. It was very smooth and the level of competition was crazy. We were able to fire off some quick laps and I was able to pull away. I was very pleased that I could finally break that 15 minute barrier.

MileSplit US: What has been one of your best recent workouts that you have done?

Dalquist: Mile repeats. My teammates and I were able to fire off some low 4:40's right after another and it felt great.

MileSplit US: You got the Texas Relays coming up this weekend. You opted to go all relays with the 4x800 and DMR. What are you and your teammates hoping to accomplish in those races?

Dalquist: My teammates and I have a shot at not only the meet records, but also the state records in those races, so we have our eyes on that.

MileSplit US: What are some of the next big individual races left for you this season? Any post-season meet plans or will you be shutting down after hopefully an appearance in the Texas State Meet?

Dalquist: I have district through state coming up and through that I am hoping to qualify for the Aggie Mile and the adidas Dream Mile. My teammates and I have tossed around the idea of running relays at Brooks PR in June.

MileSplit US: You signed this year with the University of Arkansas. What pulled you to on deciding to become a Razorback?

Dalquist: I signed to be a Razorback because I want to surround myself with the success of the program and coaches along with the athletes. I feel if I step out of that comfort zone in that retrospect, I can excel as an athlete. I also really like the coaching staff and all they had to offer from the places I would live to different opportunities.

MileSplit US: What are your remaining goals left that you would like to accomplish before you graduate?

Dalquist: I want to make it to state and have a shot at it all, and compete well enough to qualify for some national meets, oh and get good grades of course.