Jesse Reiser and Gabriella Karas: NSAF Emerging Elites of the Week

This is the 13th Fall 2013 edition of our NSAF weekly feature on nationalscholastic.org: the Emerging Elites of the Week.  The New Balance Nationals Indoor and Outdoor meets have become known for the ever-expanding and improving competition in the divisions of the same name.  Similarly, the NSAF seeks to give weekly recognition to track and field and cross-country athletes reaching new and exciting competitive levels with their recent performances. This week we honor two standouts from Illinois and Kentucky, near the front of their respective Foot Locker regional races last weekend, who are newcomers to the national stage.

Photos courtesy of Vic Sailer, Photorun.net.
 

Male – Jesse Reiser, McHenry HS Class of 2014, McHenry IL

3rd, 15:11, Foot Locker Midwest, 5k, Wisconsin Parkside Nat’l Course, Kenosha WI

The talent has been there, no question.  As a McHenry (Ill.) frosh, Jesse Reiser was already running 9:22 for 3,200 after some XC success.  As a soph, he was 7th at 3A state in XC, then ripped a 9:05.40 in track.  One of the best in the country, no doubt.  But as he faced the beast that is Wisconsin Parkside’s National Course for Foot Locker Midwest last weekend, there was perhaps a little doubt in his mind.  In 2012, he faded to 108th in this race.

Fortunately, the confidence gained from his success so far this fall more than outweighed that doubt.  And it should have:  Reiser had only one defeat leading up to state, winning his conference, regional and sectional meets.  And from that one loss, where he was outkicked during the Palatine Invite, he learned a valuable lesson about going out too fast and being too tired to hold off others’ kicks.  From that point on, he learned how to measure effort and have enough left to fight for the finish. 

Reiser’s talent and experience added up to tremendous success in this fall’s three biggest races to date:  He was 2nd at 3A state by just a second to talented O’Fallon senior Patrick Perrier, then a surprise runner-up to Ohioan Evan Stifel in a crazy battle in the mud, wind and rain at NXN Midwest.  That all led up to last weekend in Kenosha, where his bid to make a 2nd national meet was achieved with room to spare:  He powered home third in 15:11, 105 places higher than he had finished in 2012.  There’s no doubt now, Jesse Reiser has arrived and both Portland and San Diego await.

A few thoughts from Jesse: 

On his reaction to qualifying for not just one, but both national championships, and when he realized he wanted to go for it:  It's an absolute blessing to qualify for both.  It's always been a dream to get here.  With the season I was having, I thought I would have a chance and in the end it worked out well.  After state was when I knew I wanted to qualify for at least one of these meets.

On how the Foot Locker Midwest race played out and whether he had any apprehensions after not running well in Kenosha last year:  We went out conservatively at the first mile and there was about a group of 50 of us.  Then when we hit the two mile, we started to move.  The last mile, it narrowed down to about seven runners and it was pretty much all out from there.  I was really nervous coming into Foot Locker because of how I did last year.  But this past year I gained a lot of strength and I was way more positive going into it than last year.

On how the NXN Midwest race unfolded in significantly different conditions:  It was really tough with the course being as tough as it is ... and with the hay bales it was really different than I was used to.  But during the race, I just found myself with familiar faces which I knew, making it easier.  The wind played a huge factor as well, so I tried sitting on the front pack.  Then around the last mile, we started to move and the last turn was pretty much all out.

On the mid-season change in his approach:  Yeah, at the Palatine Invite I learned a lot about racing strategies and what worked well.  So throughout the year, I started to get more comfortable with that (holding back early) and in the end it worked out well.

On getting started in distance running and his inspirations:  The reason I got into the sport was because my mom told me to try it out.  The main other sport that I played was basketball.  The inspiration that I have for this sport is just doing well for my family, teammates, and coaches (Beth Czubik and assistant Jim Wheeler); it's kind of my way of repaying them for all the help that they have given me over the past years.  I'm really thankful for them

On goals for his two national meet races:  My goals for these upcoming meets is to just go out and compete with the top guys in the nation, and hopefully become an All-American ... also to just get some experience for my senior year.

 

Female – Gabriella Karas, Martha Layne Collins HS Class of 2017, Shelbyville KY

4th, 17:07, Foot Locker South, 5k, McAlpine Park, Charlotte NC

Being a standout middle-school runner on a varsity high school cross-country team can be a mixed blessing.  On the one hand, you have a great opportunity to get a head start and run against older, sometimes better and more experienced kids.  On the other, when it comes to certain meets and especially the post-season, you don’t always have the same opportunities.  The past few years, while winning Kentucky state titles, Gabriella Karas was limited to Junior Olympic competitions.

While Gabriella’s older sister, Caterina, and other teammates and foes could run, say, Foot Locker South, she was on the outside looking in.  This fall, however, Gabby finally entered the 9th-grade at Martha Layne Collins HS (Shelbyville) and was ready to step up her game.  She ran faster times on most of her courses this fall and, at 2A state, she lowered her record to 17:39.04.  It was her third title, the first coming a year after Caterina (Class of 2012) started the family streak by winning as a junior in 2010.

When Gabby finally reached McAlpine Park in Charlotte last weekend for her first FL South, she was rock-solid ready.  There was never really any doubt she’d qualify and she crossed the line in 17:07, a very strong 4th place and a PR by more than 30 seconds.  This is one freshman who seems ready for the pressures of the Finals in San Diego.

A few thoughts from Gabby:

On what her expectations were coming into FL South and whether she’d run the course there before:  Coming into the race, I was truly determined to be top 10.  Honestly, I think I performed better than expected.  This is because my performance took me by surprise.  And yes, this year was my first time stepping on to the FL course.

On how the FL South race played out for her:  Towards the beginning of the race, my goal had just been to go out fast, and do try my best to hang on to the leaders.  This plan has succeeded.  The course was just so amazing to run.  I loved every part of the race!

On what has helped her improve this fall after already being at the top in Kentucky for 2 years:  Honestly, I think I keep improving because hard work really pays off.  You just have to keep your head in the game, no matter what.  Something I've learned is to run off what you know, not off what you feel.  It also helps to have such great family, friends, and coaches constantly supporting me.

On the contributions of her coach and teammates:  My coach, Stephen Drawbaugh, is a terrific guy. He always knows just what to say. He has helped me so much these past few years.  Coach Drawbaugh is the best coach ANYONE can ask for.  As far as the team goes, we’re all like a family.  We’re always helping each other out and constantly supporting one another!

On her competitive and personal relationship with sister Caterina:  If it weren't for my sister Caterina, I wouldn't even be a runner.  I remember when I was in 3rd grade (when I wasn't really a runner yet) and Caterina had running practice.  I wanted to go out and practice, just because she was.  Ever since that first practice I went out with her, we were running buddies ever since.
When Caterina and I race together, it was like nothing had changed.  We were both very relaxed together.  Even at the end of each race, whoever beat who, it never mattered. 
We still love each other no matter what happens, on and off the course.  Now that my sister is in college I've missed her a lot, especially training with her.  But she still supports all my races and stays in touch.

On how she and Caterina got started in running, and her inspirations:  Caterina and I began running because of Kenny Stottman and David Flaugher (Derby City Runners)!  They were my very first coaches!  If it weren't for them, Caterina and I would have never even thought about the sport of distance running.  So they and my sister were my inspirations.
God is the most important part of my life, though.  Without Him, my talent is nothing. I thank Him everyday for the gift I have. And I love Him!

On anticipating the trip to San Diego and her goals for the Finals:  It’s so exciting to have this opportunity to go to San Diego!!  It's going to be awesome!  My goal for is for sure to make the top 15! That's my main focus!

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