Interview: Will McGee

We are indeed very close. I can't imagine a team being as close as ours. Its not just a group of distance runners, and a group of sprinters. It is a complete family. I spend most of my spare time with these guys, and they are like brothers to me. I believe that success has helped our friendships, because we have seen how much each person is willing to sacrifice so that everyone else can be happy. But I believe the friendships have made success sweeter more than anything. If you were at outdoor state and you saw the way we were all huddled together praying before the awards, and saw the tears in our eyes when we won, it was obvious that it was something that we all wanted. I could win a million championships, but they would be nothing if they weren't with guys that I loved as much as my teammates now.

Scottsboro also had a strong distance program when you joined the program as a junior high athlete. Though that group of guys has since graduated, what do remember from running with them and how does that experience continue to impact your career?

I remember being the annoying little kid who tried to run with the varsity, but just couldn't hang. I also remember how supportive all the guys were, and how much they wanted me to succeed. I think their work habits rubbed off on me, and the times they put up are what I somewhat gauge my times from.

As a runner who also spends a lot of time socializing with your opponents even away from track meets, what is your response to the team unity article Matt Wilson wrote this winter?

I've talked to Matt about this. I can understand where he is coming from, but I really don't think that having other friends has hindered my friendships with my teammates. I don't think you can have too many friends, and when I meet someone who has the same interests as me and is fun to be around then I'm not going to sacrifice what could be an amazing friendship.

If you were a hot dog, and you were starving, would you eat yourself?

That's a simple question James, and I'm not going to jerk you around. Of course I would. I would cover myself with brown mustard and relish. I'd be delicious!

What are your long-term goals and your goals for this season?

My long term goals are just to be able to compete with a university that has a strong program, and to just make sure that I am having fun doing this. My short-term goals are to break the school records, and hopefully run under 4:20 and 9:25. I would also like to be able to double at state and win the 1600 and 3200 as well as the team title.

After two falls in the 2002 State Track meet (800m and 1600m), how did you work on your foot-ground coordination during the off-season? You had to bring that up didn't you? I think running with Shawn Kays has helped. His long, lanky stride tends to get caught up in mine from time to time. I figure if I can stay on my feet while running with him, I can stay up in any situation. Though those falls must have been frustrating, if you could have any one race to run over again to change the outcome, would it be one of those falls in state or a different one? Though those falls were very frustrating, I don't wish them back. To have been able to get up from a fall on that 1600, and come back to take 3rd is something I am really proud of, and I think that shows my "never-say-die" attitude. If I could run any race over, it would be the 3200m at state my freshman year. I ran a very wussy race, and got passed in the last 100 meters. We lost state by one point to Williamson that year, and I still wonder if I could have changed the outcome of that team score if I would have just given a little bit extra. Which is more valuable to you: your athletic ability or being really, really ridiculously good-looking? James, I would have to say that I value my athletic ability more. I have learned that there is more to life than being really, really ridiculously good-looking. I've realized that I should be doing things more meaningful with my life. Like helping people.

Will would like more falls like these and less like he had last year in Tuscaloosa. (photo: James Guthrie)

You competed in the 2001 State Decathlon and surprised a lot of people with your 55th place finish (out of 60 athletes), but then took last year off. Where were you, Will McGee? Have you been preparing for the multi-event competition much this year?

Hey, I may have gotten 55th, but last time I checked, Adrian Frazier was behind me and that is all that matters. Last year, I was taking some time off in Greece in complete silence so I could better understand the sound of a whisper. Not really, I had some school work to take care of. But yes, I have been preparing for the decathlon. I have been working on the vault a lot lately, and I am ready to surprise some people in May. Daniel Nolan, Watch out! Willie Mac is coming after you!

Is there any runner from the past or present whose performances you really follow to gauge your own success as you progress through the years?

Naturally, I have really gauged myself off of the school record holder in the 1600 and 3200, Andrew Hodges. He put up some really impressive times in high school, and I would be very honored to say that I broke his records. He is also a really good friend of mine, and he has really supported me, and wants me to break those records as much as anyone.

If you could have a rematch with one person you've run against in your career, who would it be and in what distance or event? I would say Ben Whitaker in the 1600. Last year he was somewhat of a rival of mine. We only raced twice last year in the 1600, and were 1-1 against each other, with both of those times being within tenths of a second of each other. I really respect him as a runner, and he is a really good friend of mine, but we are tied, and I would like to show him who the better miler is. If you could change any one thing about the sport of track & field, what would it be?

McGee & Whitaker (photo: AlabamaRunners)

I would probably say that they need to add a 4x50 indoors. That would be so awesome to watch. Especially on the wooden track at The Barn. I also think that like Scott Fuqua said "They need to make another distance event, so Matt Wilson can win a state title."

Describe your athletic career as a youth, and how you came to settle on running as the sport for you.

When I was younger, I was very big on baseball. I wanted to be the next Mark Lemke. I ran road races and stuff with my dad, and liked the rewards that came with running. I ran cross-country my 7th grade year, and really enjoyed it. I planned on planned on playing baseball, but I wasn't able to because my grandfather died, so I had to run track that year. That season, I really started to enjoy competing, and fell in love with the sport. By the time baseball rolled around the next year, I didn't even want to play. I still miss it sometimes though.

What were some of your Physical Fitness marks when you were younger?

Believe it or not, the mile and shuttle run were my worst events. I remember in 8th grade after my growth spirt of about 8 inches in one year, I tried to run the shuttle run, but because I hadn't really grown into my legs, I just kinda fell all over myself. That was embarrassing. I can remember that no one was able to touch me in V-Sit reach though. I was good at the crappiest event.

What is your favorite part about going to a track meet? To track practice?

The best part about a track meet is just seeing friends I have't seen in a while, and just being able to spend a full day with my teammates are really build on friendships. The best part about practice is just not knowing what's going to happen next. With this group of guys, something crazy is always going on. I just enjoy the atmosphere of Scottsboro Track and Field. Also the girls on our team make for good reasons to enjoy practice.

What venue would you consider the ideal venue to host a track meet in?

I would say Wrigley Field in Chicago with Harray Carray commentating the race. It would be awesome to measure out how many laps around whole field it would make to make a mile. I can't think of anything that be more amazing than being able to run along the ivy-covered brick walls in the outfield.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

It is a 4-way tie. Winning the Junior High Cross-Country Championship in 1999 was my first taste of what it is like really have worked for something, and having it all fall into place. In 2001 when we won the 4x800 at state was very special to me also, because I felt like I made you, Matt, and Joe proud, and I was glad that your final high school relay ended like that. My first time under 10 minutes for 3200 was also a big highlight for me. If I was to have to pick a single event out of these to call the biggest highlight, I would probably say that wining the 2002 Outdoor Track State Championship was it. I have never been so close to a group of guys like that. We really worked hard for it, and I feel we deserved it.

What's your favorite planet?

Mine's the sun!! When that thing burns up we're all going to die.

What are your interests outside of running?

Typical 17 year-old? Will saves a member of his youth group from certain death. After this interview, Will returns to his everyday heroics (photo: James Guthrie)

I really enjoy playing guitar. I am very active in my youth group. I also love to play with children. I am in a Mentorship program at school where I get to go to a local elementary school and assistant teach. I have fallen in love with every one of those kids. Other than that I just like to hang out with friends and family, and just be a typical 17 year old. What's the best advice you've ever been offered on either running or life in general? Who gave it to you? That's a really tough question. I would probably have to say that the best advice I have received is not really advice at all. I think that just being taught to be a respectable gentlemen and a genuine person has really affected who I am today. My dad has really shown me how to do this by example. Any final thoughts? Well James, I wanted to ask you a question: If you had a choice between having the most visited site on the internet, or getting Mad Cow Disease, which one would it be? Oh wow, a stumper. I'll have to get back to you on that one. Thanks for your precious time, Will. No, no, no. the pleasure is all mine!