"Ears" What They Had to Say

An Interview with Junior Megan Lynch ('05)
November 17, 2003

Guilderland’s Megan Lynch is no stranger to the NYSPHSAA Championship Cross Country meets. The Junior has garnered three consecutive State meet berths during her tenure on the Lady Dutch squad and she hopes to add one more to her credentials next cross country season. This year was, arguably, Megan’s best showing at the State Meet, where she placed 37th in the girls Class A race with an outstanding time of 20:18 for the tough Marcus Whitman High School cross country course. Her high placing almost provided an invite to the New York State Federation Cross Country Championships this past Saturday (11/15) at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, but Megan fell just short of qualifying. She hopes to take the momentum she’s built during this season into next season’s meets, where she’s already set the goal of competing at the Federation Meet. GuilderlandXC.com’s, Mike Poole recently had the opportunity to speak with Megan regarding her career thus far, as well as what the future may hold for this promising young student-athlete.

Mike Poole (MP): Okay Megan, first thing's first...great race last Saturday at the State meet! You looked like you were in total control of yourself the entire race. How did you feel out there? What was going through your mind?

Megan Lynch (ML): Thanks. I felt really good on Saturday and was happy with the results of my race. Going into the race I just wanted to get out fast and to stay up as best I could. I felt I was able to do that.

MP: Sectionals was a huge race for you. A break-through of sorts. Can you tell me what made that day so much different from your other races this season?

ML: Throughout the whole season my times weren’t as good as they had been the past couple of years. Every race became a mental battle for me. Based on my performances, I knew qualifying for States was going to be difficult. At the beginning of the season I had set going back to States as a goal, and fortunately on the day of Sectionals I was able to put my mind and body together and have my best race of the season!

MP: Nothing like putting it together when it counts! Looking back on the season, at what point did it occur to you that you've got a great shot at qualifying for the State meet?

ML: To tell the truth I wasn’t sure if I would be able to qualify for States this year. I knew my body was capable of running well enough to qualify, but I wasn’t sure if my mind would be able to keep focused.

MP: Having qualified for the State meet three years in a row now, you've got the opportunity to come back next year make it four in a row!! What types of things do you think need to get done in order for that to happen?

ML: It’s definitely my goal to qualify for States next year, especially since there’s a possibility that Section 2 will be hosting it. I know that qualifying is going to take a lot of hard work over the summer and throughout the season. This year a lot of runners who plan on returning next year have been talking a lot about running together this summer. I think this can be beneficial to us all. We will be able to keep each other company as well as push each other.

MP: That's tremendous...running buddies definitely help in the summer months! Let's talk about Feds...This past week has been an emotional rollercoaster of ups and downs for Guilderland Cross Country. First, the boys team doesn't qualify for, but Seth and Brian did individually...Then there was some uncertainty about Seth qualifying and then finally, there was a phone call on Tuesday night and low-and-behold, the ENTIRE boys team made it into the meet! Your story is quite similar. At first, many thought you were a shoe-in to qualify and then there was also some talk that you wouldn't go. What's going on here?

ML: Unfortunately, I didn’t qualify for Federations this year. There was a small chance I would qualify but it was definitely a stretch. My goal next year is to not only qualify for States but Federations as well!

MP: Oh man--tough break Megan...that's good though, it gives you extra motivation for next season. Now, you've been running on the team now for several years. What is it that keeps you coming back to the sport of cross country?

ML: Cross-Country is such a great sport. The combination of the coaches, the sport, my teammates, and my opponents has taught me so much about life, relationships, and working hard. Every race is a chance to learn something new.

MP: How did you first become involved with running?

ML: In sixth grade Coach Torre let me practice with the modified cross-country team. He really made it fun. That spring, Coach Morley asked me to run at the high school as a seventh grader. I’m glad she gave me that opportunity.

MP: What have been some of your more favorite workouts that Coach Burg has had you do this season?

ML: This year we’ve had some great workouts from poker games to relay races to track workouts to harness runs. My absolute favorite workout was the harness run. It’s such a hard workout, and it hurts so bad, but the sense of accomplishment at the end is awesome.

MP: Sounds like some fun workouts. Now, your other sport is basketball, which I heard you are also very good at (having made the Varsity team as a Sophomore last year). What role does cross country play in preparing you for the upcoming season?

ML: Basketball started this week and I’m in the best shape of my life. Cross-country always gives me the stamina and strength both physically and mentally. It really helps me on the court.

MP: Gee, any chance we might ever convince you to run at least one season of track??

ML: I get asked this question a lot. Right now I play AAU basketball in the spring. Since there is no AAU team for Seniors, I might try outdoor track next year.

MP: Hey-hey! Did you hear that folks? You got that here at GuilderlandXC.com! As a Junior, you're probably beginning to start thinking about colleges. Have any come to mind so far?

ML: I haven’t given much thought to college yet. It’s sort of overwhelming!

MP: Hey, you've still got time. Do you plan on participating in cross country (and perhaps track & field) or basketball at the collegiate level?

ML: I know that I would like to participate in sports in college, but I’m not sure which sport I would like to continue with.

MP: I think I have a good suggestion for you, but I'll keep that to myself. Looking back on the season, I want you to think of all of the races Guilderland has run. Now, think about the first teammate of yours that sticks out in your mind. What is it about that person (and their race) that made you think of them?

ML: The person that sticks out in my mind the most would have to be Jen Madsen. She ran with us this year as a seventh grader, and she had a very successful season. She ran each race really hard and always gave everything even when she was hurting. Being around Jen and befriending her reminded me how I always looked up to all of my older teammates. When I was younger, the older runners on the team were a huge influence for me. I really wanted to be a good role model and friend to her and the rest of my younger teammates so I can pass on the tradition.

MP: Ah, that's great. Well, Megan, thank you very much for taking the time out to speak with us! You’ve had a wonderful running career so far at Guilderland and we certainly can agree that we’ll see even brighter moments ahead. Best of luck with basketball this season!!

ML: Thanks Mike and thank you so much for including me in your interviews!