2004 FOOT LOCKER CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Post-race interview with Mark Matusak

by Ricky Quintana

Mark Matusak runs in sixth place with less than 400 meters to go. (Photo: Alison Wade/NYRR)

Mark Matusak, a senior at Loyola High School in Torrance, California, finished third at the 2004 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships in 15:26, four seconds behind winner Ken Cormier. He finished 22nd at the 2003 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.

MensRacing.com: Talk about the race.
Mark Matusak: This year was a lot different for me. I went out a little slower and more conservatively. I put myself in position to race the last mile instead of surviving, like I did last year. After the two-mile mark, I started moving up. I used every little downhill to pick off one or two people here or there. Then off the big hill, I got a couple of people. Then there were two or three people in front of me coming through the final 400m. I just started going after them one by one and was able to pick them off. The final person I passed for third place was on the final straightaway.

MR: It seems like you and [Ken] Cormier made up a lot of ground in the end. Were you surprised how qucickly people were coming back to you?
MM: I kind of knew from last year that if they're not feeling too good at the end, they're going to come back. It's like last year, I came back to a lot of people. I just wanted to go out there and just pick off people. I was a little suprised that they were coming back. I think I was moving pretty quickly towards the end. It was good.

MR: Do you think you had too much left? You just blew past [John] McGuire.
MM: Yeah. I think I probably could have kicked a little earlier, but I didn't want to kick too soon and then just die at the end and be passed up again. I was happy with this performance. It was a big improvement for me.

MR: Did you ever imagine that you could finish third?
MM: I don't know. I came in here wanting to get a medal and at least stand up on the podium tonight. Last year, I went home without anything. It's not really a surprise because I knew that I was in shape and ready to run. I'm very happy with it.

MR: I know that you've excelled in track and everything. How does it feel to be at the pinnacle in cross country?
MM: Cross country is a tough sport. It's a great feeling just knowing that putting all the work in, dedication, knowing that this is what it comes to, and being able to perform here is just a great experience.

MR: What does this performance bode for track?
MM: I think it's good. I'm going to take off and crosstrain a little bit and get back and ready to go for the long track season.

(Interview conducted on December 11, 2004, and posted on December 14, 2004.)