Class of 2019 Check-in: Alex Maier
As the National Letter of Intent period for the Class of 2020 slowly approaches on November 13, last year's class is underway with their first college workouts and races through the new season.
Over the course of the fall semester we'll be checking in with some of the fastest NCAA freshmen and last year's stars of the Class of 2019.
First up is Flower Mound (TX) High School graduate Alex Maier. The Texan had a decorated high school cross country and track and field career, and culminated his cross country career with a 2018 UIL State Class 6A Championship.
We wanted to find out how Alex was faring in his first weeks at Oklahoma State University.
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What was your summer training like compared to the summer training you did with Flower Mound?
The training for summer actually wasn't too different. I was definitely doing my highest mileage of any summer. My old high school coach let us still run with our high school team, which helped. The plans were just a little bit different--some of the threshold runs and tempo runs changed from my high school plans but not too big of an adjustment with aerobic training.
You had a very impressive end to your high school cross country career--a state championship and a top 10 finish at NXN. What are you looking to bring to the table for OK State this season?
The team here is so talented; I just want to help however I can, whether that means contributing points on the postseason team or just pushing the guys further in workout. I just want to help achieve the team's goals.
What do you love most about the team so far at Oklahoma State?
The team culture--the sense of drive everyone has. Everyone is here to elevate each other and push each other to make us better as a whole team. I really like the sense of camaraderie.
Do you have any time goals for cross country this season?
I haven't thought about time goals too much--transitioning to the longer distances is definitely different, but I want to talk to my coach and figure out my level of fitness and see where I can go from there with the longer workouts before I think about time.
What's your favorite part about campus so far?
I really like the cross country course we are building--we are hosting the NCAA Championships next year and the course is in great shape. It will be challenging, but it will be awesome and it's special because not a lot of kids have a course like this on campus. The hills will be fun come race season.
Do you think that running in Texas heat has made it an easy transition to running in Oklahoma heat with your team?
Yeah, I think so. I prefer hot weather over cold weather in general. Having that in Texas definitely helps.
What are you going to miss most about your team back in Texas?
The friendships and connections I made with people. The guys I trained with were who I saw everyday, and I really miss their friendships. I still text them and they did really well at their opener at Marcus I. I told them I would try and come out for a meet to see them.
What's your best advice to any seniors embarking on their final cross country season trying to pick a school?
My best advice is to just enjoy the process. If you are looking at a bunch of schools, enjoy the trips and the opportunities. It's the only opportunity you have to do this, so don't get too stressed about the decision. Just have fun!
Have you picked a major yet?
I will be majoring in Electrical Engineering.
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If you're a recent graduate of 2019 and want to do a check-in interview similar to this you can contact MileSplit Correspondent Parker Navarro on Twitter or email her at parker.navarro@flosports.tv.
