XC Watchlist: Jesse Southard - Gorham HS
Athlete Name: Jesse Southard
School: Gorham HS
Year of Graduation: 2016
2013 State Meet Finish: 6th in Class A 17:13.81
Tell us how your summer training is going?
My summer training has been going well when I have been able to run. I had a few setbacks with little injuries I got from baseball and travel. I think I'm finally getting back to a level that I can compete in.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
My goals are getting my 5k time down into the low 16s and 15s as consistently as I possibly can and hopefully getting to compete in the Footlocker New England race.
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
During the summers my family and I would go out and visit my grandparents on North Haven, ME off the coast of Rockland. We would get up and do a mile run around 8am every morning. Then I started doing Indoor Track throughout middle school. In middle school I actually played tennis in the fall instead of running XC. But when I was going to be a freshman I realized I wasn't going to be able to do that. I thought about running because my older brother Matt ran in high school. The night before preseason started I was talking to my sister and mom about how I didn't think I could run that far, so what was the point. Ended up going and not having a bad time. That was when I really started running. The longest race I had officially run was a 400 before the Wilkinson Memorial meet right before I started freshman year and I ended up winning. Now here I am 2 years later in the hunt for a state championship.
Will you be competing anywhere out of state this season?
Well, I am hoping to be running at New Englands and hopefully the Footlocker one but other than that I am not planning on it right now.
What is your favorite course to run in Maine?
Probably either my home course in Gorham or the one in Windham where I have the course record. The one in Gorham is really fast and I get a lot of practice there. Windham's course has a couple hills but it is just really different.
What is the toughest course to run in Maine?
For me the toughest course I have had to run, in Maine, would be the one in Massabesic. I was coming off an injury and short rest from the Marshwood course and those didn't treat me well. It's also the only race anyone from my team has ever beat me. Outside of Maine is the one over in Manchester, NH.
What meet during the regular season do you put extra emphasize on to compete well at?
I compete my hardest at every race, but I put a lot of emphasize on the Wilkinson one at the beginning and Regionals. I want to show everyone that I mean business at 
the beginning and at Regionals I want everyone to know I'm ready for states.
What is your favorite cross country race so far in your high school career & favorite cross country memory?
My favorite race would have to be our home meet last year where Cadorette was suppose to run away with it and I ended up staying with in 6 seconds of him. I also thought they gave me Gorham's 5k record only to find out that the course was .01 miles away from being counted as a 5k course. My favorite memory would have to be the 1st runner from Western Maine to cross the finish line at states last fall.
When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do?
It depends on the season. I play 3+ sports when I am healthy. Basketball in the winter and summer, baseball in the spring and summer and tennis whenever I can fit it in.
Favorite quote?
The biggest mistake an athlete can make is to be afraid of making one.- L. Ron Hubbard
What shoes do you train in?
New Balance 790 V3, in yellow
What shoes do you race in?
Nike Rival D 6, in Black, Red, and Bright green
What professional athlete would you most like to meet?
Jon Lester
What is something that most people don't know about you?
I wish that I could sing better because I like to sing but I am not very good.
More on Southard
Personal Bests
- 1.x Mile Run8:37.00
- Three Mile Run15:56.00
- 5,000 Meter Run16:45.37