Oct. 29, 2007

FAIRFAX, Va. - Last season as a freshman, Michael Pachella burst onto the collegiate track and field scene, qualifying for the IC4A Championships during both the indoor and outdoor seasons, and earning CAA Rookie of the Year honors and all-conference accolades in the 800-meter run and the 4x400-meter relay. GoMason.com recently caught up with the Ogdensburg, N.J. native as he prepares for his sophomore season with the Patriots.

Question: You were a very accomplished track athlete coming out of Wallkill Valley Regional High School in Ogdensburg, N.J., finishing as the runner-up at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships in the 800-meter run. What made you decide to choose George Mason over all of the other universities that were recruiting you?
Pachella: I really loved Mason; I felt completely comfortable here. Mason was my first recruiting trip and I made my decision before I even left. The coaches here are the best. I knew that I would receive the right training and attention needed to run to my full potential. The teammates here are very outgoing and determined. I knew that if I joined this young team, I would become one of the many building blocks in the construction of something that in a few years is going to be very dominant.

Question: Last year was your first year competing in collegiate track and field. How would you compare the talent level of your competitors at the NCAA Division I level to the talent level of your high school opponents?
Pachella: NCAA Division I track and field is a very high level of competition. In high school, when you stepped on the track you could name all of your competitors. You knew exactly whom you were racing and most of the time how they were going to race. In college it's much different. There are tons of runners coming from a number of different colleges who are all capable of running fast times. In high school, as a runner, your races consist of almost all local races and only a couple national or higher level races. In college, the schedule is filled with races where you face that higher level of competition every time.

Question: You were an IC4A qualifier, the CAA Rookie of the Year and an All-CAA performer in both the 800-meter run and the 4x400-meter relay last year. What do you think was the key to your immediate success at George Mason during your freshman year?
Pachella: Consistency is definitely one of the keys to why I was successful. We set goals from day one and stuck to them. It was a solid year of training and staying healthy. I also believe the fact that I kept a positive mindset helped. No matter what was happening, I always believed that what I was doing was right and the best thing for my running. I stayed confident and did my best to accomplish the goals that I wanted to achieve.

Question: After a very successful freshman season, what goals have you set for yourself for the upcoming indoor and outdoor track and field seasons?
Pachella: Well, the obvious goal of the season is to run faster. I want to be able to compete at an even higher level of competition than last season. We have a stronger team this year and along with my individual races, we will be looking to run some fast relays. We have our eyes set on having a strong appearance at the IC4A Championships and qualifying for the National Championships during the indoor season. Along with that, during the outdoor season we want to win Penn Relays and have repeat success at IC4As and qualify for the national meet. As for my individual goals, I'm shooting for a very long season and being able to run strong up to and through the U.S. trials.

Question: You ran at the CAA Championships during the outdoor season last year and the IC4A Championships during both the indoor and outdoor seasons. How does your preparation and mindset for these major championship meets differ, if at all, to most of the regular-season track and field meets that you compete at?
Pachella: No matter what race it is, whether it's a small home meet or a big championship, I go in with the mindset knowing that I have what it takes to win that race. Just being confident with myself and being ready to be competitive in every atmosphere of the sport. When I put that Mason jersey on, there's only one thing on my mind, and it's to race. Every time I race, I'm always looking to accomplish exactly what Coach Henner wants. If I'm not able to win, well then I have to be the best second place and so on.

Question: You competed in a variety of relay events for the Patriots last year, including the 4x400, 4x800 and the distance medley relay. Is your preparation any different when you are running as part of a team as opposed to running your individual events?
Pachella: The preparation is all the same. Whether I'm competing in a relay or individual event, I do the same routine and get ready exactly the same. Our team now has a larger roster and within that roster, an even larger number of guys who can run fast. Relays are always my favorite because it's not just about how one guy runs, it's about how all four guys run together. I love being able to run with other guys; it gives me more of a reason to run. I not only want to run for myself but for the three other guys who are depending on me to run to my potential.

Question: While still emphasizing its traditional strengths in the sprints, jumps and hurdles, the George Mason men's track and field team has evolved in the past few years to improve itself in the middle distance and distance events. How competitive do you think the team will be in those areas by your senior season?
Pachella: Just from last year to this year we've brought in an array of guys through all events who will make major impacts. We're still a very young team and have a lot of adjustments to make but I do believe we are definitely in the right direction to making it to the top. Our coaches do a great job in recruiting and building the team. Within these next few years, other teams will be looking at Mason in a whole new light.

Question: How are you able to find a balance between the demands of being an athlete with the demands of also performing well in the classroom?
Pachella: At times it can be tough, when we are out racing every weekend it gets hard. But we are student-athletes and I know I have a responsibility to get my work done. Our schedule doesn't give me a lot of time to slack off, which is a good thing. I have a tight schedule so it actually helps me get everything done in a timely manner because I know if I don't, then I won't have that time later to get it done.

Question: One of your hobbies is playing video games. What system do you own and what game are you currently playing?
Pachella: It's pretty funny because I'm horrible at video games and I really don't enjoy losing at them. Outdoor stuff and music have always been more my thing. I play a lot of guitar in my spare time. Video games are more of a means of recovery. The coaches don't really want us outside running around when we are in the middle of training. So my teammates and I play a lot of video games. Most of the guys are very competitive and our team garners probably one of the world's greatest Nintendo 64 players. Chris Rice is so good at Mario Kart and Super Smash Brothers. The kid is a prodigy. But that's our primary system, good old Nintendo 64. We all try to work on our game to beat him, but it just doesn't happen.

Question: Are there any athletes - past or present, amateur or professional - that you particularly admire, and why?
Pachella: There are many athletes that I really look up to. My favorite runner of all time is Sebastian Coe. He was just an extremely strong runner and held eight world records. I also admire Coach Henner, who demonstrates how you can accomplish so much through hard work. Other than that, I really look up to all of the professional runners who are coached by Coach Henner. Guys like Chris Lukezic, Sam Burley and Kevin Sullivan. These guys give runners like me hope and inspiration. All of them have awesome personalities and are always fun to be around.