Tristan Trevino, Marian University

Hello and welcome to the Red Banner Race Report Podcast! My name is Meran, and I launched this podcast to shine a spotlight on the incredible athletes, coaches, and supporters that make the sports of cross country and track and field so special.  I spent some of the best years of my life as a collegiate runner racing in this division, and the memories and experiences I had while chasing the Red Banner changed my life.  I hope this podcast helps you get to know the humans behind the amazing athletic achievements within the NAIA, and the stories told here inspire you to keep chasing your dreams and goals.

For our first episode, we are kicking it off in style with Marian University runner Tristan Trevino.  Tristan, a junior, had an incredible three days of performances at the national championship meet in Gainesville, Florida, March 5-7.  He was the anchor leg in the 4x800 meter relay, which set a national and facility record by two seconds in 7:27.  Tristan then won the mile in a closely contested race, coming from behind and outleaning Justin Kiplagat of Trinity Western and Camden Khon of Spring Arbor in a photo finish: the three runners were only separated by tenths of a second.  In one of the last events of the meet, Tristan anchored another relay home: the Distance Medley Relay (DMR) took first, helping Marian clinch the team title.  For his achievements this season, Tristan was named the USTFCCCA Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

Thank you so much for tuning into The Red Banner Race Report.  I can’t wait to feature more cross country and track and field athletes from the NAIA…stay tuned because it might just be YOU!  

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, please share, subscribe, and leave a review.  You can find The Red Banner Race Report Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other major media players.  You can also ask Alexa to play the podcast.  

If you have an idea for a great topic or guest you’d like to hear about, feel free to contact me through the show notes or reach out on Instagram.

I’ll leave you with Tristan’s favorite quote: “I go to the races to watch you make art, and it’s beautiful and inspiring and everything art should be… even though there are times when I have to close my eyes…then there are other times… when you just take my breath away.” - Mom Racer

The Red Banner Race Report is an independent production and not officially endorsed or sponsored by the NAIA organization.  Any opinions or views expressed are those of the host and participants and do not reflect the NAIA in its entirety.

Follow RBRR on Instagram @redbannerracereport

Transcript

SPEAKER_04 0:04

Hello and welcome to the Red Banner Race Report Podcast. My name is Marin, and I launched this podcast to shine a spotlight on the incredible athletes, coaches, and supporters that make the sports a cross-country and track and field so special. I spent some of the best years of my life as a collegiate runner racing in this division, and the memories and experiences I had while chasing the Red Banner changed my life. I hope this podcast helps you get to know the humans behind the amazing athletic achievements within the NAIA. And the stories told here inspire you to keep chasing your dreams and goals too. For our first episode, we're kicking it off in style with Marion University Jr. Tristan Turvino. Tristan had an incredible three days of performances at the National Championship meet in Gainesville, Florida, March 5th to the 7th. He was the anchor leg in the 4x800 meter relay, which set a national and facility record by two seconds, running 727. Tristan then won the mile in a closely contested race, coming from behind and out leaving Justin Kiplagat of Trinity Western and Camden Kuhn of Spring Arbor in a photo finish. The three runners were only separated by tenths of a second. In one of the last events of the meet, Tristan anchored another relay home. The distance Bedley Relay took first, helping Marion clinch the team title. For his achievements this season, Tristan was named the US TFCCA track and field athlete of the year. Welcome to the first episode of the Red Banner Race Report, Tristan, and thanks for joining me.

SPEAKER_02 1:27

Howdy, how are you doing?

SPEAKER_04 1:29

Well, let's hear about you. Um, let's get started with where you grew up, how you first got into the sports of cross-country in track and field. So just introduce the audience to you and how it all began.

SPEAKER_02 1:42

Hey, well, my name is Tristan Teodoro Trevino. And I'm actually from all over the place. I moved around a lot when I was little. Like I've lived in California for like all elementary school. I was born in Arizona, Phoenix. But I think um mainly lived in Indiana for like middle school to high school, and I'm still here loving it though. And for how I got into track is kind of a funny story. I mainly like gotten across country in middle school, but I did up and running sixth grade with my friend Asus, and he just kind of asked me, like, hey, do you wanna do you wanna do this running club? And I'm like, sure, whatever. I just wanted to hang out with my friend, and I remember it was like a 5k, yeah, it was a 5k. I don't I think my original time was like 21 something. So that was in sixth grade, but uh yeah, we got to like halfway through, and my friend Asse was like breathing really hard, he couldn't go, and it was kind of like a movie singer's like, just go without me. And I I was like, okay, and I took off, and I think I got 50th in that. It was like um like a public 5k. I don't remember the exact name of it, but yeah, I did that, and then my mom, like right before middle school, like two days before we were gonna, I was gonna go in, she was like, Do you want to do cross country? And I said, Not not really. But she made me she made me do it anyway, and I was like, Okay, I actually really loved it, it was so fun. But yeah, then I just kind of did cross country to high school, and then I started track sophomore year. I was actually doing baseball and track at the same time, which was pretty crazy.

SPEAKER_04 3:20

Yeah, dual sporting is very difficult. Well, it's amazing how many people I talk to that say that they get into running not through their own motivation or interest, but through that of a friend or a parent that forced them to do it. So it seems to be true for you as well.

SPEAKER_01 3:37

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 3:39

Well, how did you decide to attend Marion University?

SPEAKER_02 3:45

It was kind of like, well, Coach Katie um DM'd me on Instagram, and I was just like, oh, another school, I wanted to see how they do. She was really nice, and I wasn't afraid of looking at like an IA or anything. So when I came on my visit, a lot of things just clicked. One, there was a family aspect was which was perfect. I also had so many connections there that I didn't notice. Like my uh coach uh Presley Martin, he was actually good friends and on the Marion team with my old, like when I went to LC Lawrence Central, my old high school coach, Coach Ball, and they used to do uh run together. Um when I went to Mount Vernon, my assistant coach, he was actually I think he was not that he might have been the head coach or the assistant coach at Noblesville, but uh Blake Kipkiss. If you ever met him, I feel like everyone knows him. He's so he's all over the place. But he um he actually was the person I was um what is it called? He was like my chaperone basically, and he just made me love Marion. There were so many connections, and even Coach Holman coached at LC back in the day too, and I'm like, this must be fate. It must there must be fate. So that's why I chose Marion.

SPEAKER_04 5:02

What are you studying?

SPEAKER_02 5:04

Uh psychology. I'm looking to become a clinical therapist because I want to help people, and I'm I'm pretty good at understanding and empathizing with others, so I feel like I should put that towards people and help them. So I it didn't start off like that. I actually didn't know what I wanted to do when I came into college. Because I I didn't I honestly didn't think I was gonna go to college. I thought uh I didn't know what I was gonna do. Um, but then I was like, I'll just come for running for right now and then figure out, and I just found out I was pretty good at psychology.

SPEAKER_04 5:35

Well, that's definitely going to be uh a needed field as mental health continues to be uh pretty uh high need area in our country. So it's good to especially with athletes too. Yes, yes, there's a lot of psychological aspect to racing and and the uh mindset of sport, so definitely a field with lots of opportunity. Well, speaking of Marion, you swept all three relay titles the four by four, four by eight DMR that helped secure the team championship. You are back-to-back NAIA champions. The men had 18 All-Americans, the women's side had 15, which is the second highest total on both sides in the NAIA. So, what do you think it is about the culture at Marion that makes your team so dominant?

SPEAKER_02 6:22

We're all serious and not just like serious, like we don't do any, we don't have fun, like our teams have fun all the time, but it's like a place and time for that, and I think that just builds that family aspect. So, like I'm not a traditional, like I'd like to be a leader for my team, but I'm not a very big like talker, if that kind of makes sense. Like I can yap here and there, but I I rather do it by um rising to the accept rising to the expectations of others, kind of, and being a um an inspiration. That's what I that's what I want to do. Like showing that like if I can do it, you can also do it, because I'm kind of a goofball at like my school. So it's like if if I can push myself this hard, you can too. And a lot of people follow me, and a lot of people follow that kind of idea is that even I can do this, if that kind of makes sense.

SPEAKER_04 7:17

Yeah, I remember when you posted on Instagram, yes, you can do it too. And I thought that was a great message.

SPEAKER_02 7:23

Exactly. And they just we're very we're very serious about winning, and everyone wants to do good, and we're not just doing it for ourselves, we're doing it for our teammates. And that's another thing. I I remember when I first got into the group chat for Marion, I told the track team I was like, hey, I'm gonna put everything on the line for this team, and I'm gonna like I'll do whatever I need to do to help my team win, and I just kind of expect the same back.

SPEAKER_04 7:51

High expectations drive others.

SPEAKER_02 7:53

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 7:54

Well, the four by eight didn't just win. You guys smashed the NAI record with a 727, and you were the anchor. So you're often running, you know, against the clock or protecting a lead. So, how different is that pressure mentally compared to when you are racing individually, like in the mile? Um, how does that affect your approach? Talk a little bit about that.

SPEAKER_02 8:15

I feel like the pressure is taken off of me a little bit because I have like my team is all carrying that pressure as well, and it's just my job to bring it home. I never feel like nervous. Well, I do feel nervous, but it's more like I just have to go. I don't really think too much. I'm just like, if I get it in the lead, I'm just gonna take off as fast as I can, and if I get it in third or fourth, I'm gonna chase, I'm gonna chase you guys down. So I'm not too super nervous. Like the mile, I was extremely nervous in the race and before, but like in the DMR, the four by eight, I feel a little bit more calmer because it's like I have no control over where I get the baton. I I just have to do what I can to get first, and I feel like that makes it easier for me to not overthink.

SPEAKER_04 9:09

Well, Gainesville was quite the gauntlet. You had the four by eight, then the mile final, the DMR anchor. How do you recover physically between those really high intensity efforts? And then how do you reset your brain to go from all right, I've won an individual title that's really exciting, that's a super high high, to focusing on getting back on the track and racing again just a few hours later?

SPEAKER_02 9:33

Just the job's not done. Like I was excited that we won the four by eight, and that was the first time in Marian history, and we'd been chasing that for so long, like getting fifth, second, second again, and stuff like that. And it was really good to bring that home, especially to Coach Presley, who was on one of a good four by eight team. But it's the job wasn't finished. We all knew that. And like recovery, our coach always says, like, as soon as that race gets done, I'm trying to get off, like I'm gonna celebrate with my team, but as soon as I get off that track, I'm gonna go do like a 10-minute cooldown, leg swings, and then like I put my legs up to drain, roll out a little bit, stretch, and then just kind of sit down, wait, move around when I need to. Because I had a lot of time in between the two, um, the four by eight to the mile or the mile prelim. And then the next day, it was like six hours the first day and five hour wait for the next one. So I had a lot of time to recover and mentally just kind of putting in my headphones, um, just kind of like trying to drown my brain out from like everything else, just trying to calm down and relax a little bit more than get super excited and like maybe over exert some energy if that kind of makes sense.

SPEAKER_04 10:46

Well, you also had to really focus the entire three days because you ran in the DMR, which is almost at the very end of the meet. And so you've raced now for three long days, and then you're you're on the line for the last time. So, what is it that you're telling yourself that last race? What is the specific self-talk that you're you're going through to keep yourself in it for one more?

SPEAKER_02 11:09

Well, last year was a little bit harder because I was I was so tired. I'd ran five races, but this year it's my team are the big heroes, I would say. Like, I know I did my job and I brought it home, but I wouldn't have been able to do that without my teammates. So, like this time in the DMR, especially, like I had won the mile, and I'm like, I'm the fastest miler, no one's gonna beat me. And I just had that mindset, and I don't I don't like to be like cocky or overconfident, but I think I had to be in that DMR. I was like, no one's gonna beat me, no one's gonna beat me, no one can keep up with me. And I just kind of stuck that in my head and took off. And Braden Sweet was Braden Sweet was a good runner. Um the OSU guy was pretty good too, but I was not I was not gonna lose that DMR. I was ready to win, I was ready to do whatever I needed to do.

SPEAKER_04 12:08

Yeah, I don't think it's um you know conceited to tell yourself that you are able to do something and are good at doing something and can come through and be successful. I don't think that's conceited at all. I think that's just self-talk that helps you be in the right set of mind or the mind frame that you need to live in. Well, you have uh two coaches who were just named, one was named Coach of the Year, Katie uh wise butler, and then Presley Martin was named the assistant coach of the year. So, what is something that they say or do that is really helpful for you?

SPEAKER_02 12:45

Biggest thing, uh first I'd like to shout out Coach Katie, because congratulations to being the first woman to ever sweep a national title, and then like last year being the first women's coach to get a men's team to na or a national win. But one of the biggest things is she's she's personal, she's very friendly, very kind. And when she was recruiting me, she learned my name. She knows everyone's name on the team because she's recruited most of them. So being personable and also being able to allow the other coaches to do their jobs the way they need to be is really helpful as well. And that's what Coach Presley tells me. It's like, she lets me kind of do what I need to do to help you guys prepare. And with Coach Presley, it's more of just me and him are on the same wavelength of what we need to do, and I trust this process fully. I've never been the one to always like, oh, I don't know why we did this workout or did this work out. I've always been the one who's like, whatever I'm given that day, I'm gonna do, and I'm not gonna question it. And and that's why it's like me and him are on the same wavelength. He knows that I'm gonna give it my all when I need to, and it's also he's gonna get me prepared to do that as well. So it's it's for me impressly, is it's a trust thing. It's very like it's very it's just very much trust, and I trust him with all my training. I trust him to get me prepared, and I don't that never falters.

SPEAKER_04 14:12

Are there any other coaches or supporters that you feel have been an integral part of your career thus far?

SPEAKER_02 14:20

My parents. Oh, shout out my parents. Other coaches are really supportive, but I feel like my parents are at every meet for me, they love me. My dad is a character. If you if you were watching that, you'd probably see him with the the Marion flag, he's everywhere with that flag.

SPEAKER_04 14:36

That's awesome.

SPEAKER_02 14:37

He would, I remember, yeah, last year when we won the DMR, he like I think he jumped the fence and hopped onto the track to come hug me. He does not care. But my mom is also one of my biggest supporters, and I think like my mindset comes from her a lot of the time. Like, she's the one who made me like I remember I when I used to play baseball, sometimes I didn't want to go to practice, and she was like, You have an obligation to go help your team. And I feel like that stuck with me a lot, and that's why I'm so all about my team more than anything.

SPEAKER_04 15:08

Well, that is great that they have instilled that value in you because that's something that is hard to find these days. So that's that's a very important thing to point out. Well, let's talk about a typical week of training for you. What are some of your staple workouts or ones that you really enjoy or you think help you the most?

SPEAKER_02 15:28

It's I will say I'm not very knowledgeable. I kind of like when we do a workout, it kind of just goes out of my head. But uh, one that I do like doing is the 543, which is what we did before nationals, which was to kind of get our speed up a little bit. So it's an all-out 500, all out 400, all out 300, and with like pretty good amount of rests and stuff like that. But um, usual training, how it was this year, was kind of like a workout Monday or Tuesday, then maybe like two days of uh regular like seven to eight mile runs, and then on that Thursday or Friday, it would probably be like a workout, another one if we don't have like a workout that or we have like a race that weekend. Because if we do have a race that weekend, it's usually just a one workout and then maybe like a good um pre-meet, uh pre-meet, like little shakeout, stuff like that. But the 543 is a really good workout. Oh, I there's a thing called the Air Force, which I can't exactly remember how it goes, but just know if Presley ever says the Air Force, it's it's oh it's hell. It's such a hard one. And maybe that's why I forget it, because I don't like remembering it. You black it out, it's that bad. Yeah, but it it it gets you fit, it gets you really fit, especially like for cross country and like the mile. Oh boy, it is it's definitely a hard one.

SPEAKER_04 16:57

Well, that is running, it's usually involves some pain. So well, what are some of the extras that you find helpful or impactful? For example, foam rolling, massage, chiropractic care, weight training, icing. Some people use Norbitec boots. What are those things that you feel give you that little extra edge?

SPEAKER_02 17:18

Um, number one, stretching as always. I like to do ab workouts too. There's like a it's like a 30-minute Kenyan ab workout video that I do sometimes. It is rough. I've not fully completed it yet. That one's hard. But like ab workouts, stuff like that, um, stretching, hip mobility, and foam rolling. I do normotex. I did normal text a lot during nationals because they I feel like they do help me. I know people are like mixed on them, but I I feel like they massage my muscles enough. Never really done chiropractory or like massages, but usually foam rolling is all I need for that kind of stuff. Ice baths, I hate cold water. If if if anyone can know one thing about me, it's cold water is my enemy. Like if I'm like a cat, if you put me in water, I'm trying to fly out.

SPEAKER_04 18:08

But I don't think you do it either.

SPEAKER_02 18:10

I I hate cold water with a passion, but I know it helps me, so I I get in the ice bath like 15 minutes after hard workouts just to kind of like help recovery stuff. But yeah, that's about it. I take like noon for like um electrolytes, and I don't I usually only drink water or milk. I don't really go, I'm not a big soda person. Like I like Sprite, but I'm always drinking water or like have like a tablet in or something.

SPEAKER_04 18:39

Well, you're known for your pretty lethal kick. Um most com I guess competitors or opponents know that if they are slightly in front of you, it's gonna be a hawk down at the end of the race. So has this this always been something that has come naturally to you, or have you specifically trained to develop that?

SPEAKER_02 19:02

It's always been natural for me. The things we train for is like the aerobic capacity to be able to keep up in the race and stay with them long enough to when I get to that 300 or the 200, I got my win condition in that kick. But that's always been something that's part of me. I've always had a really strong kick, especially in cross-country. That's usually what I'm most known for. I don't like bringing it down to the wire, it just kind of happens like that. And yeah, but yeah, I will say we did train for it a little bit this year near the end because when we were coming into track, our aerobic our aerobic strength was extremely strong. I could probably run a really good 5k, but the speed was a little lacking. So, like when we kind of got to the mid-season, we started really doing like 400s, 200s, um, Ks, stuff like that to really get that speed up. Though that all out workout was really helpful, but Nats, I feel like that's the fastest I've ever been kick-wise, or just like speed in general. I felt extremely fast. Like in the 4x8, I came out with a 25-200. I was definitely feeling I was feeling fast.

SPEAKER_04 20:18

So you're like the coal hawker of the NEIA.

SPEAKER_02 20:21

Yeah, but I I I'm I don't know how long he's been doing it. I I don't know how long he's been doing it, but I've been I don't think I ever saw it as long as I can remember, like middle school. That was my favorite thing to do in cross country, is like as soon as you see that finish line, just go.

SPEAKER_04 20:41

Yep. Well, he's from Indiana as well. And I watched him run in high school and then in college at Oregon, and he definitely had that natural skill from early on. So yeah, I think for some people they just have that and they can work at it. If they don't, you can obviously increase your speed, but there's just some people that can shift into a different gear, and he's definitely one of them.

SPEAKER_02 21:06

So yeah, his kick is insane.

SPEAKER_04 21:09

Yep. Well, you won three national titles in 48 hours. So what is the first thing you ate that wasn't a race-related food item?

SPEAKER_02 21:19

I had hot wings. I really love I like wings. I love wings, and I'm a bear I love spice. I really love spicy stuff. And like that might be the Spanish side of me, but I love hot, I love hot stuff. It's it's like I put hot sauce in my eggs all the time. Uh yeah, but we had hot wings and they were really good. I but I also won't say like I'm not a big very my nutrition is not super crazy. Like I I usually eat the same thing every morning, like eggs, uh yogurt with fruit, and like a bagel. That's usually all I eat every morning. Lunch kind of depends on what the calf's giving me, but I feel like I got an iron stomach, so I could eat wings and go out and run a like eight, like the next day, or maybe like three give me three hours or four hours. I feel like I come back to do like a seven-mile run, I'll be fine.

SPEAKER_04 22:15

Oh, that's impressive. I'm pretty sure that would be heartburn for me. So well, track versus cross country. I think I know the answer, but I always like to throw it out there. If you had to choose one, would you pick the oval or a muddy hilly 8K in the woods?

SPEAKER_02 22:32

Oh, it's so hard because I love both so much. It's it has to be track because track is just so a little history. I wanted to become an indie car race car driver. That's my that was my dream. And that's why I said, like, I didn't think I was gonna go to college because I really want to become an indie car driver, and but it was expensive, and I kind of found like the oval they race on is the the track, and I feel like my racing IQ and that determination is very much in the oval. But cross country, oh, I love it so much, it's so fun, especially when we get into wooded sections, which is like when I was training at LC, we were always running like um bike trails. If you think I'm fast on like the 200 oval, if you saw me in a wooded section of a cross country race, I'm flying. It is so fun, but yeah, track all the way, but cross country, it has it's not it's special in my heart. And it was also the first like sport that I did when I well, I didn't do start doing track till like three years after I did cross country.

SPEAKER_04 23:39

I think people usually enjoy one more than the other, or they're better at one, but they like the other more. Yeah, people usually have a preference, so it just kind of depends. Well, uh, which do you find a more high pressure situation? Getting the baton in first place with everyone looking at you as the target, or getting it in, let's say, third or fourth, and you have to catch up.

SPEAKER_00 24:05

It's like we gotta go back.

SPEAKER_02 24:09

The pressure is not super there. It's just kind of like I always think of like where I'm gonna get it. If you give me the baton and I'm like about 10 meters behind like for first, second, third, or fourth, and they're very close together, oh that race is gonna be fun. Cause I I get excited when I get to chase people. So I'd say being the rabbits way more stressful because like people sit on you, and like Braden Sweet Braden Sweet's race was extremely impressive, and because he he was just staying on me. He did exactly what I did uh last year DMR. It's just my kick was a little bit better. But his race was extremely impressive, and it was nerve-wracking because you don't know where these people are at. I can't really hear them behind me because the crowd is so loud, and I don't know if I'm going fast, I don't know if I'm about to get past. So I would say being the rabbits a little bit more stressful. If I where I want to get it is definitely in first because I can build that lead, I can stay, I can stay pretty strong there. But if I get it like close to fourth and we're all come together, though those are the races I would say I enjoy the most.

SPEAKER_04 25:22

Well, I'm gonna guess that if someone knows you're coming behind and they're in first, there's a little more pressure on them as well. A little more uh fear. Well, what is a song that you love to play that might be what you'd call your go-to for maybe pre-race inspiration?

SPEAKER_02 25:44

Um okay. I'm a I'm a very big song enthusiast. I have so many songs. There's not I can't really just tell you which one I would pick because I I listen to so many different things. Like it could range from like Lady Gaga to like a reggae kind of song. Like the police are really good. I listen to them. Um last year, just um Beat It by uh Michael. I can't believe I forgot Michael Jackson's name. Beat it by Michael Jackson, that was playing over and over in my head. It's just kind of like whatever song clicks. Like I there's a rapper he heat. Um uh Denzel Curry is a really good one for me. Like I got oldies to it's just kind of whatever whatever song kind of I can feel the energy in at that time. The song I would give you though is Hellfire by Oklahoma. So it's a reggae song, but it's like island, like Hawaii. It's just like a it's not like a super crazy hype song, but I can just I feel energy from it, if that makes sense. And also when I'm listening to a music, I like to picture myself in the race. Like when the song gets to that really, really high part, I'm thinking about passing all these people. I'm thinking about when I get to the finish, I'm starting to sprit, and I see my family looking at me. Stuff like that, and that's what I kind of usually do with my songs. Like whatever whatever my imagination up, whatever my imagination can come up with to that song is probably the song I'm gonna listen to.

SPEAKER_04 27:17

So whatever works best in the moment, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 27:19

Yeah makes sense. Well, do you shakira's on there too?

SPEAKER_04 27:24

Oh, well, I mean, it's pretty uh high energy, so yeah. Well, if you had 24 hours to do nothing athletic, how are you gonna spend those 24 hours?

SPEAKER_02 27:36

Um It might be insane to say. I'm really lazy at heart. I don't lie. So when I get time to myself, I'm sitting on my butt playing video games. Or yeah, that's that's my joy. Like I will play racing games, uh fighting games, Fortnite's pretty fun. Um but yeah, stuff like that. I love big story games. But when we get like two-week breaks, like after like cross country, oh no one wants to see what I'm doing there. I'm literally the most laziest person. I barely get up. I'm like playing a game, I'll go eat when I need to. And then yeah, once I gotta get right back to work, I will. I'm definitely lazy at heart.

SPEAKER_04 28:21

I think it's safe to say that you've deserved a break and it's okay to to take one.

SPEAKER_00 28:25

So yeah.

SPEAKER_03 28:26

Well, do you have a favorite pro athlete?

SPEAKER_00 28:32

Oh no, David Waddle. Okay.

SPEAKER_02 28:36

Um, his kick in the the Olympics. I think uh well, I I can't really say I have a favorite like pro pro, but I would say one that's definitely that I like the most is David Waddle, because I got compared to him because I was I was wearing a hat when I was running outdoor gnats last year. But if you ever watched, if you know David Waddle, he won the 800 in the Olympics, and he had like he got injured for like two months, barely had any training before going to the Olympics, and his kick was insane, and he he literally destroyed, he was behind like maybe 10 meters, he was in last behind 10 meters, came up and destroyed the field in his final kick. It was insane. So that I would have to say that has to be a little inspiring, especially how I run. But David Waddle, I would definitely put him up there.

SPEAKER_01 29:25

Alright.

SPEAKER_02 29:26

Or oh, wait, wait. Um who is it? Who is it? Dan Weldon, he's an indie car driver, if you know him.

SPEAKER_04 29:35

I do not, so you'll have to tell me about him.

SPEAKER_02 29:38

Uh he passed away a long time ago, but back in the day when he was an indie car driver, he was he was that guy. Him and Scott Dixon are pretty good. But he I would say if I had a favorite athlete or just favorite athlete, him, Dan Weldon was. I got a picture of him when I was like just a baby. But he yeah, he passed away, and I was pretty sad about that. But he was a really good indie car driver. I wanted to be like him, so I'll definitely say he's up there too.

SPEAKER_04 30:03

Okay. Well, some interesting names I had not heard, so I like to learn new things too. Uh, do you have a favorite TV or movie genre that you enjoy? It's hard. I know. I it is a hard question. Same with music, there's a lot to narrow down there, so makes it a little tricky.

SPEAKER_03 30:23

Well, how about this? What's something you watch that you recently enjoyed?

SPEAKER_00 30:29

Recently. Oh, wait.

SPEAKER_02 30:31

Okay. Um I'd say one show that I really like is like community. If you ever saw it, it's like about community colleges, people that go to community college. That one's pretty funny. I do like anime. I'm a pretty bad anime fan. I haven't watched anything recently, but I love going to the movies. I just watched Hoppers, that was really good. But I couldn't I couldn't really narrow it down for you. Best genre though is like I like action movies. I can some people are like, they want a movie that has like a lot of story. I can turn my brain off and just like action movies. I don't really care how bad it is, but that's my biggest thing. Like John Wick, I really like John Wick. Um Bullet Train is a really good movie. Guardians of the Galaxy, I love that. I'll say that's one of my favorite series. And the new Superman movie. Superman movie was probably the best thing I ever watched.

SPEAKER_04 31:24

So would you like Mission Impossible? Yes, but I've never I've never watched them. I've never watched them. I know I need to. I've never some of my favorite action movies. I thought the last one was really good.

SPEAKER_02 31:35

So I watched them from everything to the end. And Tom Cruise stunts, I know I need to watch them.

SPEAKER_04 31:40

Yeah, it's like a 20-year span from one to the end.

SPEAKER_02 31:42

So it's insane. He doesn't age either.

SPEAKER_04 31:46

I know, I don't, it's just crazy. Well, I guess if you have a lot of money, you can do some of those things a little easier than the average.

SPEAKER_02 31:52

I know him, like Top Gun, the new Top Gun movie. There's literally no difference. No, and it was really good too. Yeah. It was.

SPEAKER_04 32:00

I was surprised. I thought, oh no, a sequel, they're gonna ruin it. And it was surprisingly quite good.

SPEAKER_02 32:05

It was pretty good.

SPEAKER_03 32:07

Well, do you have a favorite quote junk food or dessert?

SPEAKER_02 32:16

Takis, which I know are extremely unhealthy for you.

SPEAKER_04 32:19

That's why it's so junk food.

SPEAKER_02 32:21

Yeah, I like them. I try not to eat them all the time because I will but uh that's like spicy food. I'm not like a big like I can snack, but I would rather snack on Takis more than anything. They just taste good to me, and I really like them. Might not have might have an addiction, but uh who knows.

SPEAKER_04 32:39

I mean, everything in Maduritian, right? Eating what you like is okay.

SPEAKER_02 32:43

I know, but I feel like most of my team they'll see me eat Takis and they're like, How are you fast? I don't I don't know, man.

SPEAKER_04 32:50

Well, like I'm sure you eat other healthy things in balance. So, you know, give and take, right?

SPEAKER_02 32:57

Big fruit guy, big fruit guy.

SPEAKER_04 32:58

Okay, well, there you go. Balances out the takis. Um well, do you have a favorite restaurant?

SPEAKER_00 33:09

In and out. Uh in and out's only on the west coast, though.

SPEAKER_02 33:13

When I lived there, I loved In N Out. So I think um I'm gonna go to Brian Clay. That's a meet in California. This upcoming outdoor season, I'm definitely getting in and out. I would say that's my favorite like restaurant, even though I can't they don't have it in Indiana or anywhere in the Midwest, and it kills me.

SPEAKER_03 33:34

So, how long has it been since you've eaten there?

SPEAKER_00 33:38

Um When's the last time you went?

SPEAKER_02 33:43

It's been like a two year it might have been a year now.

SPEAKER_04 33:46

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 33:46

Or more more year and a half. It's been a minute, but it just makes it so much sweeter when you get to have it.

SPEAKER_04 33:53

I was gonna say you're really gonna enjoy it after that long very much. Well, uh my final question for you is what are the big goals on your mind for the outdoor season?

SPEAKER_02 34:07

Obviously, bring a championship home to m for my team, we gotta win. And last year it was I pushed myself pretty hard. Last year I bring like three events and in cross like as a distance person, that's really tough, especially like to open. That's like um Katie Woods, she was phenomenal this indoor season. She was she was a big inspiration for me, I won't lie, during that whole time. And like her her kick in the 1K, not even that kick, just destroying the field after that mile. It's that's how I want to run personally, so I look up to her a lot. But outdoor, I want to bring Annette Nationals home and also win the four by eight outdoors, um, win the 15, and I would love to run the 800, but I don't know if that's gonna be possible, especially with like the amount of stuff I'll probably be doing. But we'll see how it goes. But um also, like I was saying, like Brian Clay, I'm looking to get a time. I'm looking to get a really good uh 1500 time and an 800 time. And I was talking to my coach, I was like, just get me prepared and I'm I'm gonna put it on the line, I'm gonna do it. And that that's like where D1 really goes. And I don't have like the obsession with going to D1, but I love I love racing and beating them. Every time I'm in a race with like D1, people's like, I have to win. Yeah, I gotta prove something. Yeah, and so like that's why I'm extremely excited. I'm gonna go for a big time because at nationals, I don't time's not my priority. Getting first, winning is my priority, right?

SPEAKER_04 35:45

And it can be tactical through the rounds, so time doesn't always equal the same as a win.

SPEAKER_02 35:50

Yeah, so and you and you always see like like in the four the four by eight this dual like or this season, I jogged it in the last like 200 because I had to save myself, and and I could have like I think we could have broken the record a little bit more if I was like really going for it, but I also did run a 51 first 400, so I was kind of dying. But I kind of jogged that in. The um the DMR final was like it was a 413, so it was a pretty slow mile. So it kind of that's I think I will say for other people, strategy-wise, if you're letting me lead the race, that race is gonna be slow, especially in a nationals remote. I'm I'm if you want to leave it down to a kick, we can do that. And that but that's why I say, like, um, in the mile, I was pretty nervous because um James can't really say his last name, but James, he was taken off. That was a little bit scary, and then Camden making that kick the like the 400, that was impressive. That's why I say that race was probably one of the best, but like kind of lost track of what I was talking about, but yeah. I think we'll get it through the video.

SPEAKER_04 37:03

Ah, you're good. Yeah, well, do you want to throw a time out there? Like, do you have an actual 800 time that you're hoping to get or a 1500 time that you like if you saw that on the clock, you'd you'd think, all right, I'm satisfied, that feels good.

SPEAKER_02 37:19

Yeah, I know for sure I didn't really run the the fastest times I could in indoor. Like, I definitely think I could have been like a 402 or 401. And then in the 800, I know I could have gone 149. I just let up at the line, which is my fault. But I'm thinking outdoor, I want to go go for a 147, and that that's big, that's big askins. Because last year I went 149, so I really want to go for that 147 and push myself to 15 like 140, 141, trying to get that conversion to sub four mile time. Cause I think I can get there. But I'm definitely looking for that kind of time. And that and that's like a big those are big goals, and it's I have to drop like six seconds, because I I think my what was it? My 1500 times like one no, not one, sorry. Uh three yeah, yeah, 330. No, wait, 340. Yeah, it was 346. So getting it to uh 340 is gonna be a big ask, but like I'm gonna go for it. I'm not I'm not afraid to say that. And if I don't get it, I don't get it, but I'm definitely gonna try.

SPEAKER_04 38:32

Well, it's always good to have goals. I mean, what else are you chasing, right? Uh well, it's gonna be interesting to see what happens in outdoor. I think there's a few teams that end up racing in the NAI that don't send runners to the indoor championship, so it changes the dynamics.

SPEAKER_02 38:50

Canada has a lot of um, Canada has a lot of good, real, really good teams. I think was it Trinity West? Or were they in?

SPEAKER_04 38:57

Um there's one. Oh, there's one from British Columbia. I'm trying to think. Didn't they win the meet last year? I can't remember what the name is.

SPEAKER_02 39:06

They're there are some really good athletes. I wish we could race some more.

SPEAKER_04 39:10

Um I think they went one-two in the steeple chase. They're two guys, and then they had a a a girl, a woman, win the distance event. So yeah, I don't know why I can't think of their name now. It'll come to me after. But yeah, that'll add some dynamic. And then this is the first year in a while that it hasn't been at Indiana Wesleyan. It's moving to North Carolina, so new track, new facility. Uh, weather might play a role there too.

SPEAKER_02 39:38

Yeah, yeah, that's the only thing I hate about outdoors the weather. Oh my, it could be the perfect race and then the wind, I hate wind. I really I hate wind more than I hate cold water. Oh, I would agree.

SPEAKER_04 39:50

Wind is the uh the great equalizer.

SPEAKER_02 39:55

Yeah. Well, I well, yeah, go ahead. I would say weather though. Uh if I'm racing in the rain, oh, oh, I uh you like that? Wish everybody luck. Yeah. I'll be I'll be cocky there. I'll say that. When I love racing in the rain, it's so fun. People always hate it, but I'm like, this just gives the the race like like aura. It makes it dramatic, it makes it look fun.

SPEAKER_04 40:18

Gives it a story.

SPEAKER_02 40:20

Yeah, like people watch the distance races, like you might run like a like the the mile, people kind of like lose interest a little bit. So I like to make it a little bit more entertaining, and the rain makes it very fun. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 40:32

Well, what if you have rain and wind? Then how are you feeling?

SPEAKER_02 40:35

Oh boy, it's that's very dramatic. It's a it's a very dramatic race. I don't know. I I just have to get over it.

SPEAKER_04 40:44

Wasn't that how the 1500 was last spring at Nationals in the prelims? Yeah, there was a ton of wind and rain.

SPEAKER_02 40:52

Yeah, and it was I was honestly because like when I'm going for a time, you don't want any of those conditions, you want perfect conditions, right? But I know when it comes down to like bad weather, I'm gonna be the one to step up when I need to. I'm racing just like to win the race, and if everyone else is suffering from like the weather, I know I'm not like I remember I like training in bad conditions, I won't lie. Like uh last year we had a really bad thunderstorm, and I don't know why I did it. I did like a 13-mile long run in that storm when it was thundering, which is kind of stupid. My mom followed me in her car, she was worried, but I was like, if I can do this, I don't no one else is no one, yeah, no one else is doing this, so I'm the only one doing it. And so when it was like it was raining, I was like, I'm I'm not tripping. I'm I ran in harsher conditions. This is easy. So that's that's I think I like that a little bit more.

SPEAKER_04 41:53

Well, I do know a lot of the other NAI schools who are from southern states or western states, they're already competing outdoors and they have sunny, nice weather, and in the Midwest, that is not a thing for quite some time.

SPEAKER_02 42:04

So yeah, yeah. That's another thing people need to look at is like some people get really good times because they get really good weather throughout the season, and that's like we try to Ryan Clay, which is going to California where it's always sunny and sunshine. So getting a good time there is really plausible, but I always tell my teammates, like especially across countries, like time doesn't matter in cross country, like it kind of does a little bit, maybe like for rankings or whatever, but like cross-country definitely comes down to who has the most grit. And I think that's like where that bad weather, like when it's raining, I'm flying, I don't care, I'm gonna still give it my all, and I know I can handle it. So I think that's where that piece comes in a little bit more. It's more than I would say Trek is to be a little bit more mentally tough.

SPEAKER_04 42:50

Definitely. And the courses are all different, so that changes your mindset too.

SPEAKER_02 42:54

Exactly.

SPEAKER_04 42:55

Yep. Well, Tristan, it has been awesome to get to know you, and uh thanks again for joining me. It's great to see that there are many more performances on the horizon from you, I'm sure. And thank you for helping launch the very first episode.

SPEAKER_02 43:11

Of course. I'm I'm really excited and I really appreciate you reaching out to me. This is very fun. I love doing stuff like this.

SPEAKER_04 43:17

Well, as you mentioned, a lot of the D1 runners get a lot of the press, and it's great to shine a light on the amazing athletes that are in the NAIA. Um, they don't always have the platform that they deserve, but the gap is really starting to narrow between those divisions. So uh hopefully on the horizon we'll see, you know, more of that recognized, and you're a big part of that, bringing the sport into a new realm.

SPEAKER_02 43:40

I know. And being posted on Flowtrack is insane.

SPEAKER_04 43:43

Yeah, isn't that exciting?

SPEAKER_02 43:45

Yeah, I was like, I wish I I wish I kind of sped it up a little bit, make the time a little bit better.

unknown 43:49

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 43:50

Well, I mean, you can look at a D one mile, you know, like the Big Ten championship was I think four eleven because it was very practical and time, like you said, it doesn't always mean anything. It's Win. So well, I wish you the best for your outdoor season, and uh hopefully I'll see you soon.

SPEAKER_02 44:08

Of course, thank you.

SPEAKER_04 44:10

Thank you so much for tuning in to the Red Banner Race Report podcast. I can't wait to feature more cross-country and track and field athletes from the NAIA. So stay tuned because it just might be you. If you enjoyed today's podcast, please share, subscribe, and leave a review. You can find the Red Banner Race Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other major media players. You can also ask Alexa to play the podcast. If you have an idea for a great topic or guest you'd like to hear about, feel free to contact me through the show notes or reach out on Instagram. I'll leave you with one of Tristan's favorite quotes. I go to the races to watch you make art, and it's beautiful and inspiring and everything art should be, even though there are times when I have to close my eyes. Then there are other times when you just take my breath away. The Red Banner Race Report is an independent production and not officially endorsed or sponsored by the NAI organization. Any opinions or views expressed here are those of the host and participants and do not reflect the NAI in its entirety.