David or "DJ" Principe is one of the top sophomores in the nation leading the US #2 La Salle Academy. He had a stellar freshmen year with PRs of 9:15 (3200m) and 4:28 (mile). He found success in some early season meets winning the Injury Fund XC Carnival in 15:27. Most recently at the Great American XC Festival, Principe led his team to a team title with his 7th place finish running 15:30. Future Stars Spotlight presented by Hoka One One.
Interview with La Salle Academy (RI) sophomore David Principe
How did you first get started running and why?
Running has been something that has always been in my family. My dad ran as a kid and continues to run marathons now. As a young kid, I would always to the kids races at local 5k's however never participated in organized track until 4th grade, and even at that it was not very serious. I decided to take things seroisly once I got into middle school.
How was your summer training? What kind of mileage and training did you do over the summer months to get ready for the cross country season?
Summer training always has a focus of high mileage for our team. However this summer I dealt with some problems with my iron levels from the end of track, so really didn't start cranking things up until the middle, to end of the summer. I was hitting anywhere from low to high 60's throughout the summer, with some strong tempos and hill workouts thrown in during the weak.
You ran well at the state cross country meet last fall with a 4th place finish. How were you able to overcome the nerves and inexperience of running in your state meet to run as well as you did?
Even though I was a freshmen I was fortunate enough to be in some national meets as a middle school runner, so for me the nerves I got not have been as crazy as most. It was mainly the pressure of being on the team for the first time that got me going. To help with it i just continued to tell myself that in order to help the team, I just needed to run MY race. Don't get rapped up in the emotions of the start and just do what I always do.
What did you learn in your first year of competitive high school competition as a freshmen? How have you matured since you began running?
High school ended up being a larger adjustment than I though. I learned that with the increased mileage and demands, I needed to step up the little things like eating right, getting sleep, and making sure i do everything I can to help my legs recover. I learned it wasn't just about the runs, it was about making sure you take the necessary steps after your runs to get ready for the next day. I found this adjustment helped me progress the way I have so far.
What was the feeling after getting 8th as a team at NXR but realizing La Salle returns everyone of the top 7 from that team?
NXR was a very interesting race for the team last year. After a long season, and missing two of our top five for the race, we didn't really seem as focused in passed races. After coming in 8th it kind of woke us up a little. We knew we were better than that and wanted to make sure that that same thing wouldn't happen again in years to come. It was a great learning experience and I believe will really help motivate us for this year's meet.
What is the vibe around the team at La Salle knowing this year is without a doubt not only the best team in program history, but you guys are capable of vying for a national title?
The one thing this team does a great job of is staying focused, even with all the national talk. With all the long term goals of the season, it can be easy to forget about the steps it takes to get there. But we are really just taking it one race at a time, and will think about national possibilities after our local championships have ended. I give all the credit to our captains for this great focus.
How do you appropriately think about the future and big goals without losing focus from the day to day necessitates as a runner?
We honestly try not to think about it too much. For example after the win in Great American we stayed focused on the new task at hand, which is trying to capture a state title, instead of looking ahead at the nike races at the end of the season.
What do you credit the rise of the La Salle program to?
The rise of the program is largely because of the great coaching staff. We have the great opportunity of having 3 of the best coaches around to help us throughout the season. And they also do a great job of keeping practices fun, so that both varsity and JV enjoy coming to practice.
CBA is a team that has ruled in the Northeast for years, and has proved themselves as one of the best programs in the country. You guys matched up with them recently and lost a close battle. Does La Salle fear CBA in any way considering their experience as a national powerhouse and La Salle’s inexperience on that front?
CBA is and has been one of the greatest teams not just in our region, but in the country for many years. This year is no exception to that. They already showed how deep their team is, but I wouldn't necassarily say we are afraid of them. The guys on this team know how to perform in the big stage and feel we can still compete with the best teams in the country.
Was it helpful being able to toe the line with them in an early season meet this fall?
I think being able to race with them all ready will end up helping the team down the road. We gave it our all on that day, knowing we would not have jack, and knowing a few of our guys were just coming back from being sick a few days earlier. However, we really wanted to go there for the course. Bowdoin is a course we usually only see once a year so we can now make adjustments for regionals to help us even more.
In the midst of you rising up as an up and coming star, how do you manage your individual goals with the goals of the team?
One thing I have tried to do is always think about the team first. As long as I am doing what ever I can to help my team achieve its goals, my goals are being achieved as well. However at the same time, I know the best way for me to help my team is to go out there and run my own race and try and do my best, so the two really do go hand and hand.
What are your top goals of the remainder of the cross country season?
Right now we are focusing on winning a state championships. Once we get through our local championship season, then we can start thing about NXN regionals and hopefully nationals.
When you graduate high school in 2017, what would you like to look back on and say that you accomplished with your high school running?
I want to walk away with a team state championship. It's something our school hasn't achieved in a while and I would love to help the team finally breakthrough and win. For now that's really all I'm thinking about.
What is your top running moment so far and why would you say that is the top moment?
So far my top moment would be winning the New England championships last year. It was the first time in 55 years our school has one and was a really big moment for the team.
What is something else you enjoy doing outside of running? Give us a little insight into the life of DJ Principe away from the XC course and track.
One thing I love to do during the summer is use my boat. Me and a few of the guys in the team are usually out on the lake trying new tricks on the wakeboard every weekend and just tryin to fit some fun into our busy schedule.
Your dad still runs competitively. Tell us about him and the role he plays in motivating you as a runner?
My dad continues to train all year long for whatever marathon he choses to run. He is always busting my chops about hitting higher weekly mileage than me (which is true) and is always there to run with on Sundays when I don't have practice. He has taught me everything I know about running. We used to run together every day together before I came to high school and have grown very close over the sport. It's been different not running with him at practice but he says all the time he has taught me all he knows and now it's my turn to show him a few new things.
What is your favorite pre-race food?
A typical breakfast on race day for me is around 5 hours out I have a bagel and peanut butter. Then about 2 hours out I have a powerbar. Then about 45 minutes before I have either Chomps or shotblocks. Nothing to crazy. Just something I have found works for me.
Any odd pre-race or pre-run rituals you do?
One thing I have picked up on from the team is we all have chicken parmesan before every meet. When we go out to eat for away meets ording is very easy because we just order 14 chick parms. One pre race thing I have is that I never really like to cross the finish line unless it's the actually race. I'm not sure why, it's just something I do. They guys have tried to carry me across it a few times to bust my chops though.
Who is the biggest inspiration for you in the sport, why?
My inspirations I would have to say is my dad. We have this great connection through running that has literally become who we are. It's what we love to do and what we love to talk about. Our pre race strategy talks are something I will never skip out on. And nothing better than celebrating a big race after.
