Knudsen looks to improve national resume with strong showing at state

By Eric Hofmann for DyeStat

Minooka senior Soren Knudsen has emerged this year as one of the top high school distance runners nationally and a favorite to win at least one title at the Illinois State Meet this weekend.

Knudsen is the top seed in the 3,200 meters and will also compete in the 1,600.

Illinois runs all finals Saturday, making such a double quite an undertaking. In addition, he might even run a leg of the 4x400 relay.

Having already posted a 4:10.17 mile and winning a cross country conference title as a junior, Knudsen’s biggest jump this season came in the 3,200. He improved on his personal best May 4 by 23 seconds, running 8:55.70 at the Conant Cougar Invitational.

He won three individual events at the Southwest Prairie Conference meet and quadrupled at the Naperville North Sectional, securing victories in two individual races and competing on two relays.

Knudsen’s 3,200 time ranks a respectable 24th on the national high school list, although he did so in what was essentially a solo performance.

Twenty-four of the top 30 times in the country this year came from the Arcadia Invitational).

Knudsen, headed to Northern Arizona University in the fall, believes he has the potential to run even faster in the right conditions with a competitive field.

The Illinois State meet might provide the type of circumstances necessary to achieve such a performance.  But securing the win comes first. Going into state, Knudsen is confident in his abilities, sharing his thoughts and insights in an interview this week.

What is your strategy for the 3,200 meters and your knowledge of the field?

“I’ve made a game plan for myself that will allow me to see the race clearly while still operating in my comfort zone. However, in a state meet with competitors like we have, you have to be ready to adjust. Anything can happen when there is this much talent in the field – anything. I have a lot of experience over the last four years with racing these guys and (am) familiar with most, if not all of their usual tendencies. I am not much of an analyst, but I have meticulously studied each runner’s usual strategies.”

What are your impressions of Whitney Young’s Clayton Mendez, the only other Illinois athlete to run under 9:00 in the 3,200 this year?

“Clay is definitely an animal himself and someone I’ll be keying off of.  His (8:59) performance was equally impressive as mine (8:55 at Conant on May 4). Although he had superior competition and weather compared to my race, he did run an 800/1,600 double the night before. While I believe in myself and know that I am capable of winning the state title, I totally respect my competition. We have a cluster of incredible talent mounted on athletes who have great work ethic and drive. The Illinois state meet is a scary place and I’m not taking any of my opportunities for granted.”

Can you discuss your improvement this season in the 3,200 distance and what are your short- term goals in the event?

“I absolutely did not expect to even break 9:10 this season. I most definitely have a lot left, however. In my 8:55 performance, there was almost no energy; very little to no spectators were present and the conditions/competition were not optimal. (I) and my future coach think in the right race, I could run in the 8:42 range. If it’s a gutsy race from the beginning, I feel like I could attain that number.”

How would you assess your ability in the 1,600, your second event at the State finals?

“This year, I only ran for time once. That was my 8:55 performance. In the other races, I only went for the win. And truly, I identify more as a miler than a 2-miler. My 4:08 PR from last year was run in the same year I was only capable of running 55 for the 400 and 9:18 in the 3,200. This year I have gotten those marks down to 51.0 and 8:55, so I’m extremely confident in my 1,600 race. I haven’t run a 1600 fresh, and that’s just the way I like it. The mile is very natural to me and it’s where I feel the most confident. I think doubling or tripling every single meet this year will make that 1600 at state feel a lot easier than it will for my competitors.”

With the state prelims being your first opportunity to run a 1,600 race without another event first, is there any chance we will see you looking to post a fast time, or is it just about qualifying for the finals?

“(I) want to keep it relaxed and run within myself.  I made the mistake of beating Sean Torpy last year in the prelims and I believe it cost me in the final. I’d rather take a crack at a sub-8:45 3,200 mark on Saturday and then give it my all for the 1600.”

What are the prospects of you tripling at the State finals and including the 4x400?

“I may or may not run the 4x400 on Saturday. It depends how my teammates are feeling and how the rounds of prelims and other races have (affected) them versus me.”

What are your team goals for the finals?

“We are going after a team trophy, no doubt.”

Can you discuss your decision to attend Northern Arizona University in the fall?

“I needed somewhere where I would get my butt kicked every single day. No other college could offer that. The mountains, altitude, team and attitude all make it the perfect place for me to be uncomfortable. I would rather be fighting and scrapping all season to get a spot on a team I know is going to be a title contender than be the top dog at a school that has no camaraderie. I am a glove fit for Flagstaff, Arizona and I couldn’t be more excited to continue my running there.”

What are your plans for racing after the state meet?

“I plan on running the 2,000 steeplechase Midwest Distance.  Maybe a few races the prior weekend, but I want to get out of my comfort zone sooner than later and start grinding for NAU XC 2017!”