Matt Grossman competing at outdoor Nationals during the freshmen 2 mile. / Photo by Brandon Miles for MileSplit
As part of the Future Stars series presented by Hoka One One, MileSplit is highlighting some of the top underclassmen cross country runners throughout the country. In this athlete spotlight, we feature Millburn High School (NJ) sophomore Matthew Grossman.
Interview with Millburn High School (NJ) sophomore Matthew Grossman
Hello Matt, I hope you had a great summer and thank you for answering these questions for us. After your freshmen start I'm excited to see where the next three years take you in cross country and on the track. To start, how was your summer training? Do anything special over the summer?
My summer training went really well with most of my weeks being in the mid-50’s for mileage. I did mostly base work with a couple of tempo runs thrown in. The highlight to my summer training was definitely Bennett Running Camp. It was a great team building experience, and I got some really great runs in there. It was fun getting to run with a lot of the top guys in the state.
This is a brand new year and a lot has happened since your first high school days as a freshmen. Heading into you sophomore campaign has the preparation changed a great amount from how you were training heading into your freshmen season? If so, how?
Heading into freshman year I came in with a very different mindset, since my main goal last year was just to make my team’s top seven. I’ve only increased my mileage by about 15 miles a week since last summer, so most of my work has gone into increasing intensity, especially during workouts. I’ve also done a lot more core and stability exercises this summer.
In 2013 as a freshman you took the No. 2 spot on the Millburn Top 5 right behind another very talented runner, now a freshman at Princeton, Rob Stone. This year you appear to be the leader for the Millers heading in, do you feel ready for that type of role as a sophomore and did you pick up anything from Robert's example last year? Either leadership or training wise?
I was incredibly lucky to get to train with someone as good as Rob. He gave me so many great training tips, and he definitely helped be become a better runner. He also taught me how important the team aspect of running is. In regards to leadership, there are plenty of great seniors and upperclassmen who are ready to take on that role.
Matt Grossman running at Holmdel during the 2013 NJ Meet of Champions. / Photo by SJPixShooter for MileSplit
You were the first freshmen across the line at the Meet of Champions last fall with a time of 16:27 in 44th place. You also took 12th in the stacked Group 4 meet with a time of 16:26, the next freshman to finish that race was in 61st place! With so much success last year I'm excited to hear what your goals or expectations may be for the 2014 season. Do you have any set? Such as a time, place, or meet to reach?
Millburn has had an individual sectional champion for seven years, so one of my major goals is to win sectionals and continue that streak. I also hope to be in the top five at the group meet. And of course, I want to do as much as I can to help the team.
That last question was for your individual goal outlook, but cross country is amazing because of the team factor. Tell me a little about the Millburn squad this year, how are you looking? The voters' poll placed you guys 9th overall heading into the season, but polls aren't results as we know!
We lost two seniors in our top seven to graduation last year, but I think our team is going to be great this year. Everyone has shown lots of improvement so far in workouts. Our main goals for the season are to repeat as conference, county, and sectional champions and place well at groups and hopefully advance to Meet of Champs.
Where and when will you be opening up your season this fall?
I plan on running in a number of dual meets, but my first invitational is going to be Stewart Memorial on September 27.
Grossman kicking it in on the final stretch of the Group 4 state championship. / Photo by Megan Kellert for MileSplit
How did you originally become involved with the sport and why?
The first time I realized I really liked running was in third grade when my class had to run the mile for gym, and I finished second. I realized I really loved to run fast. I didn’t join a team until sixth grade, when I ran for my town’s Rec Department.
What is your favorite running workout so far?
My favorite workout is 2-mile repeats at Holmdel. We do the first and second miles of the course. I always love running at Holmdel because of all the history there and because it’s a really challenging run. It always gets me really excited to race and pumped for the season.
I know your career is young but do you have a favorite fellow New Jersey athlete that you look forward to competing against?
One athlete that I look forward to competing against this year is Matt Russo on Westfield. We’ve raced against each other a few times, and I especially look forward to racing him at sectionals.
A change of pace for this last question, you are all high school runners so academics are the focus. What is your favorite school subject and why?
I’ve always really liked history. I love listening to all the different stories and events, and I’ve had really engaging and interesting history teachers.
