Jackson Harris from Huntsville High was fourth at the Scottsboro Last Chance meet running 15:12. We hear about his race and his running career.
Take me through some of the key points of the race for you.
I think the biggest key to this race was the start. I knew there were some great runners in the race like Evan Hill, Keegan Smith, and my teammate Eric Moore, so the plan was to be with them from the gun and give myself a chance to run fast. We separated pretty early and went through the mile in 4:46 and started to push from there. I didn't get an exact two mile split but back in the woods is where a gap started to open up between me and the front pack, I stayed as focused as I could but as soon as the gap opened up a little too much I think I let off the gas too much and cruised in the last 1000 or so. I think there was something left in the tank and I'm hoping to use that as confidence going towards our championship season with Sectionals and State right around the corner
Were you at all surprised by the big 17-second surprise?
Yes and no, my previous PR at 15:29 wasn't a reflection of my fitness at all and it was waiting to be broken. To do it as a 17 second PR felt shocking but now that I look back at it, it should've happened way earlier in the year.
To go off that, do you feel like things are starting to click at the right time?
Oh yeah, not only for me but for the team too. It felt good to run well as an individual on Thursday but watching my teammates' hard work pay off too was infinitely more valuable to me. I know what the guys are capable of and we're far from done, things are clicking right when we need them to.
You recently committed to Alabama. Can you explain why you chose them over other schools you were looking at?
There were many factors that went into choosing Alabama. It was one of the hardest decisions I've made in my life but for me, the deal breaker was the engineering school and Coach Waters. I wanted to find a school where I see myself succeeding not only on the track but also in my academics. Coach Waters really cares for his athletes and it became apparent to me quickly that it was the place for me when I took my official visit. I looked at some other great schools but Alabama is where I think I'll be happiest.
What got you into running?
I played basketball all throughout middle school but I didn't make the team in 9th grade. I got into some trouble so my mom made me go to cross country practice. I was extremely hesitant and mad but I ended up having friends on the team which made me stay. For most of the summer I was walking on runs and messing around but my coach saw something in me because he kept me on the team. He pushed me to take it seriously and the rest is history.
You're convinced to join this team and even reluctant but over 4 years you're apart of arguably one of the best XC dynasties in Alabama history. What makes Huntsville high basically a pipeline for XC success?
It all starts at the top, I could talk about this for hours. Coach Borden has really created a culture and expectation that can't be recreated. He works very vocally but also works through his athletes, I would not be the leader I am today without the constant push from him. I don't think our roster is the most talented which makes it even more special that we've had the success we've had. It's hard to try to find a reason Huntsville has been good without the finger being pointed back to Coach Borden and his passion for his athletes to be the best version of themselves.
What sport would you do if you didn't do xc and track? Safe to assume basketball?
I love basketball but obviously, I'm not very good at it so maybe swimming or biking. I'll just stick to watching basketball for now.
Who's your favorite NBA team and NBA player?
Currently watching the Celtics play the Magic and anyone you ask will tell you i'm a huge Celtics fan. Marcus Smart is my favorite player right now but it changes all the time.
Track or XC?
It's such a common answer but it's whatever season I'm in. If I like track more when it's cross country season then it's taking away from my love for cross. If I had to pick I would run cross country even though I'm better at track. There's nothing like running for your team and competing for state titles with some of your best friends.
What's your pre-race routine?
Nothing too unusual, just legs up on the wall and stretch the night before and I always eat blueberry muffins around 3-4 hours before my race if I race in the morning.
If you were in jail and could call one teammate to bail you out, who would it be?
Anyone but Owen, I think Owen would leave me in there to rot.
If you could have dinner tomorrow with 3 people in history, who would they be?
Jesus, Nick Saban, and Jay-Z
Who is your celebrity crush?
Cory McGee.
What's your favorite running memory?
It isn't me running but my favorite running memory was watching my teammate, Jackson Nguyen get 3rd in the Indoor 3200m at State in 2021. He is someone I look up to and to see his hard work pay off brings a smile to my face just thinking about it today.
How do you want to be remembered at Huntsville?
That's a pretty loaded question but I want to be remembered as someone who you could rely on, whether that be in a race, at practice, or even away from running as a friend.
