State Champion spotlight: Chris Walfield Morse HS

State Champion spotlight: Chris Walfield Morse HS

Senior Chris Walfield was patience sitting in the pack in the 2 mile in the Class B State meet, and then unleashed a dominating kick to win the title. Walfield's win was his first individual state title. We caught up with him to ask him about his preparations, his goals, and how the win will effect him heading into outdoors

What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?

I didn't really do anything differently in my training from the rest of the season aside from keeping my faster workouts a little shorter. 

How did you deal with the pressure and emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?

Surprisingly I wasn't as nervous as I have been in the past for bigger meets. That being said it was a little tough having to wait to race until so late in the day. I used the time to focus on my intent for the race and get mentally prepared.

You were very patient in the 2 mile, staying at the back of pack until it was time to kick. Was that your strategy for the race? And did you think you had a kick like that in you at the end of a 2 mile? What did it mean to win an individual title?

My strategy was to stick with the front pack until the last 200, which worked out. I didn't intend to lead the first couple laps but my start put me in that position. I've had a decent kick this season and have been doing a lot of shorter races and speed so I was relying on that for the win. Given how the race was paced with the second mile being a little quicker I knew it would be tough to really pick it up at the end. I didn't know for sure whether I would have that reserve but I was going to give it all I had on the last 200 regardless. 

Winning an individual title meant a lot to me as my last couple seasons have been very disappointing with anemia and injury. Finally being completely healthy and able to race well felt great. Along with focusing on getting healthy this season I didn't really push it with my training and kept my mileage very low. I'm used to being able to look back on the work I've put in to reassure myself before big races and since I couldn't really do that I wasn't sure how competitive I'd be. Winning an individual title is a goal I've had for a long time and it was rewarding to finally see that happen, even more so considering the obstacles I'd overcome to reach it.

Coming into the season what were your goals and did you achieve them?

Coming into the season I really just wanted to enjoy my training by really approaching every day based on how I felt as opposed to pushing myself to hit certain times and mileage. I definitely achieved that and I enjoyed this season much more than I have indoor in the past. Additionally I think my approach was beneficial to my health and I was able to achieve a long term goal I wasn't necessarily expecting to. 

How do you think winning an individual state title will effect you heading into outdoors?

Going into outdoor I think I will be more motivated to stay healthy while also picking up my training a bit. With both outdoor last spring and cross country this fall I finished the season very poorly so going in after ending the season on a good note should be huge. Winning an individual state title reminded me of why I love racing and how it feels to meet a goal. I think I'm getting my drive back after a kind of off period and I want to take advantage of my last high school season and really see what I can do.

Walfield's 2 Mile Progression

2015-16 Results