Fairfield Prep, in the town of Fairfield, CT, is a private, all boys' school with a strong track team, and an all around competitive running program. But within this program there is one athlete who has a tendency to stand out among the rest. If you don't know who I'm talking about by this point, it's Brian McGovern.
Arcadia's "Elite," "Dream," (or whatever you wish to refer to it as) mile was billed by many as the most competitive high school mile race ever. Perhaps it was, with Alan Webb, Ryan Hall, the Jeffersons, Seth Pilkington, Aaron Fisher, and a half dozen other star milers. But, there was something missing from this star-studded spectacle. And, while it wasn't necessarily a pivotal part of the meet, and most people probably never even noticed it, I find myself pondering the question of, "What if McGovern had raced?" He is one of the top milers in the nation. Would the race's outcome have been drastically altered? The answer to that, we won't ever know. But, I was able to talk with Brian on a number of different topics.
As with every other runner I've talked with, (who has run at FLCC) Brian says about Foot Locker nationals, "It's one of those experiences that I will never forget as a runner, being with other great runners and competing against some of the best in the nation. The race is an amazing event, on and off the course." McGovern, who qualified for the national meet both as a junior and as a senior, notes that, "Having qualified for Foot Locker nationals the previous year, I definitely found it to my advantage this year." The biggest reason for this? "I knew what I had done training wise the year previously, and it gave me some confidence that I could make it again."
 Photo by: Armorytrack.com.
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At the Northeast regional meet, McGovern was the clear favorite to win. But there was a rather unexpected end to this race, a twist which involved the Fairfield Prep stud crossing the finish line with a time of 15:34.2, .9 seconds behind winner Seton McAndrews. Yet, surprisingly, Brian wasn't upset by this loss, but was instead somewhat pleased. "Finishing second at regionals was nice, everyone likes to win, but that really wasn't what I was focusing on this year." McGovern states, "It was more to run my best race and qualify. I walked away pleased from that race, win or not." And to nationals he went, where he ran a 15:31, good for 17th place.
As we all know, after fall comes winter. With winter comes the arrival of indoor track. And with this years arrival of indoor track came one of the most memorable seasons in prep history. In case you were unconscious, or marooned on an island in the North Atlantic, I'll re-cap. Alan Webb broke 4 minutes indoors. That just about sums up the 2000-01 indoor track season. However, the rest of the nation didn't necessarily lie dormant. Brian finished 4th at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships, with an impressive 4:16 on the Armory track, also known as "the fastest track in the world." At the Millrose games, McGovern finished a somewhat disappointing 5th, in 4:21, behind the likes of Nick Schneider, Bobby Lockhart, Said Ahmed, and Brian Boyett.
With XC and indoor track behind him, his high school career is near over, and then it's off to the University of North Carolina. Why UNC? "Academically, it's a great school. My future coach (Michael Whittlesey) seemed to understand me as a runner, and the team is made up of some great kids."
But, before UNC he must take on one last challenge: outdoor track. Brian has set in his mind one, primary goal to attain before finishing a terrific high school career. "It would be nice to end my high school career below 4:10." When and if this mark is achieved, we shouldn't expect to see it before the Foot Locker Outdoor Championships in Raleigh, NC. "I will most likely be gearing for outdoor footlocker in the mile." Again Brian notes, "I am not really concentrating on place but, again, rather time, hopefully, under 4:10, if all goes well." As of now, Brian's PR in the mile stands at 4:14.95, which he ran at the NC Herbster Classic last year. By the time FLO rolls around, 4:10 should be right there for him, especially with the unbelievable competition in the nation this year. A race with the likes of Alan Webb and Ryan Hall alone would raise the intensity and adrenaline to a level previously unmatched, making a great time far more attainable.
With such aspirations comes a deep desire, a drive to excel. Yet, surprisingly enough, McGovern's drive doesn't involve the mind-boggling quantity of miles put in by such talents as Dathan Ritzenhein (up to 95 miles a week). He claims that, "My mileage has been relatively low as compared to some of the best runners. [Instead] I tend to do a lot of cross training, running, biking, swimming (triathlons)." McGovern also adds that, "I try to concentrate on all areas so not to be weak in any one area come race time." A good philosophy to live by.
On a final note, Brian shares that, "It is great to see US running at a high point. It's an even better feeling when you know that some of the nation's leaders like Webb and Ritz are not only good runners, but nice people off the track."
Interview granted by BRIAN MCGOVERN exclusively for fastPREPS.com: April 18, 2001