Dec. 3, 2008

FAIRFAX, Va. - After completing his first season on the George Mason men's cross country team as the team's highest finisher at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships, Scott Tekesky is ready to lead the distance corps of the men's track and field team during the upcoming indoor season. Tekesky recently took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to answer some questions for GoMason.com.

GoMason.com: What training did you do in the summer to prepare for this season?
Tekesky: The summer is when the distance guys put in the majority of their mileage, so over the summer I was doing my higher mileage weeks and a workout or two a week. I also had the opportunity to be a counselor for a running camp in Brevard, N.C., which is an awesome place to train. A few weeks before school started some of the guys did a week of training near West Virginia.

GoMason.com: What are your expectations for the team this season?
Tekesky: I would really like to see the team continue to build. We have brought in a really strong class as far as the sprints and middle distance guys are concerned. We have also added a lot to our field area with the addition of a pole vault coach and some vaulters. The distance area is also getting stronger with the addition of another coach.

GoMason.com: Was it hard receiving the 2006 CAA Rookie of the Year award and then being forced to sit a year due to NCAA transfer rules?
Tekesky: Yeah, that was very hard. I was really excited after receiving that recognition but was dealt some cards that weren't really to my favor after that. The most frustrating part was wanting to help the team throughout the year and having to watch from the side of the track. I'm really excited about having the distance guys at full force pretty soon here and hopefully getting on top of the conference.

GoMason.com: How have Coach Gerard and his staff made you a better runner?
Tekesky: Coach has brought a more scientific approach to training and racing that I wasn't really exposed to before. Before coming to Mason, the training philosophy I followed was more of the old school where you train hard all the time and those who could not hang on died. Coach Gerard's program is a little more scientific and it allows for a more calculated peak, which is extremely important for a distance runner.

GoMason.com: Is it difficult to balance being an athlete with the demands of performing well in the classroom?
Tekesky: It's not that bad. There are some times, though, where you have to decide if you are going to stay up a little later and study or write a paper, or if you'll go to bed and get ready for a workout the next day. It's all about time management and prioritizing everything on your plate.

GoMason.com: Your major is history; what makes you interested in studying that field?
Tekesky: I plan on commissioning with the U.S. Army once I graduate. Once I made that decision I looked at what major would give me the biggest advantage within the military. I decided that learning about history would give me that advantage and so far it has been very beneficial.

GoMason.com: Do you have a favorite vacation destination?
Tekesky: Well, I was lucky enough to have a dad in the Coast Guard so I have lived in a lot of nice places in my life. I would go back to Key West, Fla. if I ever had a vacation and coach didn't call practice.

GoMason.com: What is on your iPod?
Tekesky: "Chicken Fried" by The Zac Brown Band!

GoMason.com: Do you have any superstitions before competing?
Tekesky: I like to just be by myself right before a race. It lets me get focused on what's about to happen and what I need to do during the race.