XC Watchlist: Owen Concaugh - Messalonskee HS
Athlete Name: Owen Concaugh
School: Messalonskee HS
Year of Graduation: 2017
2014 State Meet Finish: 13th in Class A 16:44.29
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I started running when I was 9 for Waterville Parks and Rec during the summer, I decided to join because my best friend was doing it. I actually started off as a sprinter but changed to distance the next year.
Do you remember your first real race?
I don't remember my first race since I was 9 at the time. My first high school race was the Laliberte Invitational race, which is always a fun season opener.
How is your summer training going?
It's been very up and down so far, I've been trying to do some extra mileage this summer because I have some big goals for this upcoming season. Of course with extra mileage comes extra pain and injuries. I went to the Acadian Running Camp and I had a great time, but on our last run I injured my calf and decided to take a week off. Since then I've worked back up to where I should be, and I can't wait for summer training to be over and to start racing again.
What is your favorite workout?
My favorite workouts would have to be hill workouts because that's where I need the most improvement.
Which meets will you be running in this year?
My team and I will be running most of the same meets as usual, we're running a few different courses this year with meets in Bangor and Leavitt, however this year we'll be hoping to run in New England's and make it there as a team.
Do you have a favorite course? What do you think is the toughest course in the state?
My favorite course that I've raced on would be Belfast just because that's the fastest course that I've ran on and where I always set my PR's. As far as the toughest in the state, I'm going to have to go against my teammates and say that MCI isn't the toughest, I'd have to give that honor to the course at Cony because of that massive Hill right in the middle of the race.
Out of all your running accomplishments so far, which stands out the most?
Individually my win in the Freshman Festival of Champions race stands out as well as breaking 2 minutes in the 800, however my favorite running accomplishment is definitely when my 4 800 team won the state title despite being ranked 4th going into the race. I grew up playing team sports and winning a state title with 3 of some of my best friends stands out to me the most.
What are your goals for the upcoming cross country season?
This season my goal is to win Messalonskee it's first KVAC title and make New England's as a team. We have a very talented team this year and as long as we can stay healthy while working hard I don't see why we can't do it.
What do you love most about running?
I'm not going to lie, I don't love running the way a lot of runners do. What I do love is competing.
Do you have a favorite quote?
My favorite quote comes from one of my teammates, who never fails to disappoint with his pre-race pep-talks. "You don't know so, you will so." Domanick Hamlin
Do you have any pre-race rituals or routines?
I'm not very superstitious, I just take an ice bath the night before meets and I try to have chicken parmesean the night before as well (Although sometimes team dinners get in the way of that).
What is your favorite food?
I love breakfast and chocolate, so chocolate chip pancakes are definitely my favorite food (but definitely not my favorite pre-run food).
What was the last movie you saw and what did you think of it? The last movie I watched was Zombeavers, it's about a group of people who get attacked by zombie beavers, I highly recommend it.
What brand of shoes do you train/race in? I rotate training in the Nike Zoom Pegasus and the Nike Air Zoom Odyssey's. I race in the Nike Victory 2's. So Nike is my go-to brand, but I've also tried the Brooks Launch, Saucony Kinvara's, and some New Balance racing spikes too.
What professional athlete would you like to meet the most? Well I've already met Ben True and Riley Masters so I'd like to meet Will Goeghegan, I follow him on instagram and he seems really cool.
What is something most people don't know about you? I love soccer, I started playing when I was 4 and I still play whenever I can. I play for my high school's indoor soccer team during the winter. I watch the English Premier League every weekend and play FIFA on my xbox when I'm too tired to play for real.
Lastly, if you were stranded on an island with three things what would they be? As Mythbusters proved, you can survive on a deserted island with only duct tape. So I'd have to go with duct tape, a knife, and a variety pack of Pop-Tarts.
More on Concaugh
Personal Bests
- 1,600 Meter Run 4:28.17
- Two Mile Run 10:23.73
- 3,200 Meter Run 10:23.62
- 5,000 Meter Run 16:43.17
- 800 Meter Run 1:59.69
- One Mile Run 4:30.73
