Megan Ferowich enters this weekend's Foot Locker Nationals as one of the top rising stars in the South region as shown by her undefeated season in her homestate of Tennessee prior to a fourth place and 17:12 5K PR finish in the regional qualifier race in Charlotte. Ferowich, a sophomore at Knoxville Catholic, has earned the trip to San Diego despite this fall being her first season of cross country. However, this is not her first national meet experience as she won the freshmen mile last June at Nike Outdoor Nationals. With a 10:26 3200 time trial under her belt from last month, Ferowich is certainly fit and ready to run with the some of best runners in the country on Saturday.
Interview with Megan Ferowich
MileSplit US: Lets talk about your race at Foot Locker South. You had a very aggressive race plan up there pushing the pace through the first 2 miles with race favorite Chelsey Sveinnson. Was that the plan to get out to the front and hold on? How did you feel about you race performance?
(Photo right by John Olson of https://sc.milesplit.com)
Megan Ferowich: Yes. That was pretty much what I wanted to do. I didn't want to be separated from the lead pack, which ended up being just 3 girls including myself. I feel like I did pretty well, but I didn't push myself hard enough at the end and finish strong.
MileSplit US: It has been a stellar season for you going undefeated in all races leading up to the Foot Locker regional. What were your expectations heading into this season and did you feel you have met them?
Ferowich I didn't want to let anyone beat me because I hate to lose, so I am happy with the way the season went.
(Photo left by Kimberly Samry for https://tn.milesplit.com)
MileSplit US: You won the freshmen mile at Nike Outdoor Nationals, while not necessarily the premier event with the championship mile race with all grades do you feel that victory in Greensboro gave you a lot of confidence in your future running and meets against national elite competition?
Ferowich Yes. I do think winning a national race this summer gave me the confidence and self-assurance that I can compete and win at a national level.
MileSplit US: You ran a huge 3200 PR in a time trial in between the state meet and Foot Locker South with a 10:26 as I believe your previous PR was over 11 minutes. How shocked were you with that time and what did that do for you confidence heading into Charlotte?
Ferowich My previous PR was actually a 10:50 (I think for 2 mile) from the Volunteer Track Classic last track season. I was a little surprised; I knew I could run a 10:40 but I didn't believe my coach before the race when he said he thought I could run 10:30. That definitely helped me going into the Foot Locker regional race. Because of the time trial I felt more comfortable with the pace and knew that I could handle it.
Photo by Barry Jones for https://fl.milesplit.com
MileSplit US: After running a 10:26 in a time trial during the cross country season, does that make you think seriously about taking down the TN state record in the 2 mile held by Kathy Kroeger who ran 10:26 for a full 2 miles (converts to around 10:23 3200)?
Ferowich Yes. I am looking to break that record this coming track season.
MileSplit US: You had the opportunity last year when you started running to hear a lot about Kathy Kroeger, who finished out a great high school career as a past Foot Locker champion and numerous All-American honors. Getting an opportunity to see someone from your state excel from within your state at the national level make you think or believe more that you yourself can do some great things nationally?
Ferowich Anyone like Kathy Kroeger who works hard and pushes themself can excel nationally, but it does give me extra confidence knowing that she came from the same state, and had similar times such as the 2 mile.
Photo by Gerry Duffy for https://tn.milesplit.com
MileSplit US: Obviously you have experienced a lot of success quickly in the sport with this being your first season of cross country after running only track as a freshmen. How you have handled your quick rise as well as your coach in not getting too excited and thinking long term about your success in the sport?
Ferowich Although I do have long-term goals such as the national races, I try to take it one race at a time rather than looking too far ahead, and forgetting about or underestimating my next race. Honestly I hadn't given the 2 mile much thought until you brought it up; I'll think more about that when the track season begins.
MileSplit US: What do you consider as your best or toughest workout this season?
Ferowich The toughest workouts which are also the best because they help me the most are mile and two mile repeats.
Photo by Jasen Parks of https://tn.milesplit.com
MileSplit US: What are your goals for Foot Locker Nationals?
Ferowich My goal is always to win.
MileSplit US: Outside of the race itself, what are you looking forward to most out in the trip to San Diego?
Ferowich Outside of the race itself, I am most looking forward to meeting Ryan and Sarah Hall, as well as Adam and Kara Goucher, Suzy Favor Hamilton, and many other Olympians and Foot Locker Hall of Fame inductees. I am not sure who will be there, but I know some of them went to the race last year. I hope they come this year as well.