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Mark Matusak, a recent graduate of California's Loyola High School,
outkicked highly-touted Oregon freshman Galen Rupp to win the junior
1,500m in 3:47.07.
Q:
How did the race go for you?
Mark Matusak:
It went really well. I ran a PR, definitely, so that was good. Going
in, the main goal was to qualify for the [Junior Pan Am Games] team.
Galen made it a little easier because he spread out the pack pretty
quickly. After we broke away, I was focusing on him and pulling
him in at the end.
Q:
What do you think about beating Rupp in a race like that?
MM:
It's cool. It's a great feeling to beat someone who is at such a
high level. But I'm sure he'll be back, and that won't be the last
time we see each other.
Q:
You had quite a weekend [the previous weekend] at the Nike Outdoor
Nationals. What did you take away from that?
MM:
It was a big weekend there, too. We went in wanting to win. We knew
the time would take care of itself. In the last 200, which I guess
is what everyone's talking about, I was feeling it. I caught the
first two guys, and then had some left, so I could get inside. That
made it a little easier. It was a great race. [Note: Matusak won
the two-mile in 8:51.13.]
Q:
What are you hoping to do at Pan Ams?
MM:
Run well, have fun, and represent the U.S.
Q:
How did the race unfold from your perspective?
MM:
We got out quick, in 60, 61, something like that. We came back at
2:00. The pack was stringing out pretty quickly. It was, at one
point, Galen, [Michael] Haddan, someone else, then me. I got Haddan,
then I ran on the other guy's shoulder. I was able to get by him,
and then it was just Rupp and [me] down the last 300m. I felt pretty
good going into the last 200. I wanted to make sure I had the spot
sealed away before I went to try and get him. Once I saw that we
had a big gap, I just started taking him.
Q:
Do you think you run faster with the kind of competition you got
here?
MM:
The fact that the competition was so big here really helps the times.
Q:
What's on next year for you?
MM:
I'm going to go to Cal Berkeley. That should be good, they got a
good class this year. Hopefully we'll be a force to be reckoned
with.
Q:
You'll have to race against all the Stanford guys.
MM:
Yes, and Galen also.
Q:
Between now and Pan Ams, do you have any plans?
MM:
We're going to sit down with the coaches and figure out what happens.
I'm not racing; [Pan Ams] will be my next race. I'll enjoy the summer,
train, and get ready to go.
(Interview
conducted June 25, 2005)
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