Salute To Seniors: Evan Woods (Walt Whitman)

What was your most memorable race/competition?

Tie between the great battle I had with Diego Zarate in the state mile my junior year and winning a cross-country state championship my senior year. The competition in the area always brought out the best in me on race day and I will never forget many of the races I fought for.

Where did you face your biggest competition?

Competing against guys like Diego Zarate, Alex Corbett, and Andrew Hunter in my area alone was like competing against some of the top guys in the country. Races like the Penn Relays brought amazing runners together and created some great races. Pretty much everywhere I ran seemed to have a handful of guys who were regionally competitive and it was a great experience to run alongside all of them.

What was your greatest accomplishment?

Winning a cross-country state championship because everything came together at the right time and I completed a career-long goal. As a freshman it seemed impossible, but I was able to work hard and see the goal through. It was a mentally tough race to prepare for, but completing that goal was unforgettable.

(Photo right by Arnel Gonce)

If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in High School?

I would relax a bit more when it came to race time. I would remind myself that the only way through the race is to get to the finish line. If you’ve done the training, all you need to do is show up and give it your best.

What were your most difficult obstacles to overcome?

I was usually too conservative when racing and would hold back and save an extra gear. It’s a great feeling to finish on empty and I wish I could’ve gotten past the fear that I would fall apart late in the race. My best races came when I trusted the training and ran like I had nothing to save for later in the race.

What will you miss the most?

The brotherhood I built with my fellow teammates and Track Squad.

What advice would you give to younger athletes?

Don’t be afraid to run outside yourself and go for broke. The wheels may come off for a couple races, but if they stay on, you could be running something very special.

What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?

The Hays have always encouraged me to keep working hard and to reach for a big goal. After a disappointing race my freshman year, Coach Hays told me to forget about it because one day I would go on to do better things and become a state champ and I did.

Photo by Tom Veazey

What are your college plans?

I'm very proud to be a member of the Tribe at William and Mary and to be running for coaches Stephen Walsh and Chris Solinksy. I plan to major in Biology.

Who would you like to say thank you to?

A huge thank you to my parents who always encouraged me, my coaches, my teammates, and my family and friends for constantly swarming the stands to support me.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Pain is temporary, but glory is forever.