Jon Iosso, varsity cross country runner
What is your favorite part of cross country?
The team atmosphere. Everyone cheers everyone else on and the team genuinely gets along very well.
In what way has the sport benefitted you?
The sport has gotten me in incredible shape. In the beginning, it is very hard to begin running everyday, but at the end of the season, I am now in great shape. Running everyday feels amazing and it is a great way to get exercise.
What is your biggest challenge in cross country?
The prevention of injury. I have been running cross country since seventh grade and I have never gotten an injury; however, this year, I have been training harder than I ever have before and my muscles have become more fatigued than usual, so I always worry about getting injured and pushing myself too hard. Luckily, I have not yet.
How do you get ready for a cross country race?
By listening to music on the bus ride over. It gets me hyped and more prepared for the race. In addition, I like looking at the time I want to run and the splits that I have to hit, in order to run the time I want to accomplish, so while I am running, I know if I am on track to hit the time I want to or not.
What are some goals you wish to accomplish before the season ends?
I want to break a 17:00 for a 5K. My current personal record is 17:22 and, with two races left, I am confident that I can cut my time by 23 seconds and break 17 minutes.
Who are your favorite professional athletes?
Eliud Kipchoge, because he is arguably the best runner in the entire world and holds the world record for a marathon runner as he only came 25 seconds short of breaking 2 hours for a marathon. It just amazes me that he is even able to run that, because my personal record for running one mile is 4 minutes and 50 seconds, while when Kipchoge ran that distance for the marathon, his average pace was around 4 minutes and 35 seconds for 26 miles. Overall, it amazes me that he can not only run that fast, but that fast for such a long distance.
What other hobbies do you have?
Playing basketball. I also play for the high school basketball team and I am excited to start preparing for that season after I finish cross country.
What are your plans after high school?
To go to college and to possibly major in business.
What is your favorite subject in school?
Math, because I like how everything in math is matter a fact and there is always only one solution to every problem, instead of many different options, like with other subjects.