Senior cross country runners aim for strong finish

MURFREESBORO – Nicole Gardner did something out of the norm during the summer.

She took a break from running.

The Siegel senior standout distance runner spent a month in Knoxville at Governor's School, focusing on classes and trimming back her regimen of running.

"I think it was a good break for me," Gardner said. "I've been running since the sixth grade. I still ran pretty much every day, but just did a couple of miles. And I did some cross training."

Oakland senior Eli Leskinen knows a lot about cross training. Leskinen didn't begin running cross country until his sophomore year after the urging of former Oakland standouts Brock Baker and Conner Thompson.

Leskinen, who also is a standout swimmer at Oakland, was competing in triathlons before joining the cross country team.

"I still consider myself new to running because I didn't start until my sophomore year," he said. "I ran in middle school for a while, but then stopped and started swimming, then triathlons.

"Swimming will always be my first love. But my emphasis right now is running because I'm pursuing that collegiately."

Leskinen has not committed to a college, but is looking at Tennessee, Alabama, Ole Miss, Penn and Yale.

Leskinen is the top male returning cross country runner. He finished 12th in the TSSAA Class AAA state meet (16:19.10) in 2013. He was 19th (17:04.34) at state as a sophomore in his first season.

Leskinen said triathons, which include running, swimming and cycling is a good compliment for each other.

"They all strengthen your cardio," Leskinen said. "The difference is that running is more taxing on your body."

For Gardner, the break has helped keep her legs fresh for the start of the cross country season. And she hopes it pays off at the end of the season.

Gardner burst on the scene as a standout her freshman year. She won the Class AAA state meet her sophomore year, winning in 18:44.13.

Gardner was third (18:40.40) at the state meet in 2013. She was second in the state meet as a freshman.

"I can't believe it's my senior year," Gardner said. "It will be weird not to run for Siegel Middle or Siegel High after this year."

Contact Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 or tkreager@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kreager.