C Mantz Running

Footlocker Cross Country Championships

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Location:

Provo,UT,USA

Member Since:

May 18, 2010

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

NCAA Champ

Running Accomplishments:

Pre-high school: I ran a lot of local 5ks and a few half marathons.  I didn't do a ton of training, but I just had fun, and I got more serious about it as high school got closer.

High school: I enjoyed running a lot, especially cross country.  I originally did track to keep my in shape for cross country.  I ran at Footlocker Nationals, the Adidas Dream mile, Brooks PR Invitational, world xc junior championships, and a few local 5ks. 

PRs: 800: 1:56.80-State Track 2014

1600: 4:10-State Track 2014/Mile: Sea Level-Adidas Grand Prix-4:07

3200:Alititude(~4500ft): 8:57.99-State Track 2014-2 Mile:8:53 at Brooks PR Invitational

5K: New Balance Indoor Nationals(2014) - 14:24

10K:USA Junior Track Championships (2014)-31:01

15K: Blacksmith Fork Freedom Run (aided) 48:10(2013).

Half Marathon: 
Utah Valley Half - 1:11:24(aided)(2012)

Post-mission:

1,500m-3:45

3k-7:50 

5k-13:29

10k-28:18

NCAA finishes:

Cross Country: 10th(2018);

Indoor: 3k-7th(2019) 5k-10th(2019);

Outdoor: 10k-22nd(2018), 4th(2019), 5k-7th(2019)

Long-Term Running Goals:

Make sure I have fun, not get burned out, and get faster.

School records in the 5km and 10km.  

Personal:

Served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from July 2015-July 2017.  I gained 30 lbs. during the service and came back out of shape; however I knew that if the Lord wanted me to once again run competitively, he would bless me to return to fitness. 

I graduated from Sky View High School in Smithfield, Utah. I currently run for Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.  

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Race: Footlocker Cross Country Championships (3.1 Miles) 00:15:34, Place overall: 12, Place in age division: 12
Total Distance
6.00

    I got up at about 6:30 and got a medium sized breakfast and the left.  I sat by myself on the bus at first, but then a bunch of people started getting on, and I was lucky enough to have Meb sit right next to me.  I talked to him until we got to the course, and it was way cool.  It was one of the best parts of the trip.    We got to the meet, and I sat in the tent area with the West guys.  We talked and just tried to not be nervous.  Once the girls race started I went on a warm up with Kramer, and later we ran with Ben, Zach, and Troy.  We got to see most of the girls' race, and it was a fun one to watch.  After that I did some stretches and some strides and we had the announcements.  It was cool to be announced before a race.  I lined up at the line between Andrew Gardner (who has taken 4th and 6th at this race these last two years) and Ben Saarel. 

    The gun went off, and I knew that I wasn't going to have any trouble with being boxed in because there was plenty of room and only 40 people.  In the first 800m I was in the back with Poli and Kramer.  I wasn't feeling like I was racing here.  I just kept thinking I was at nationals, and had made my goal.  This was just going to be a fun race.  At 800m I was 2:22 and in 3rd to last after passing a few guys.  The group was packed, and the pace was perfect.  I was planning on getting ahead of a few guys before the first mile mark, but it was almost impossible to pass anyone.  Everyone had the same strength as me, it seemed.  I passed a few guys, but I was still at the back.  First mile: 4:52.

    Right after the first mile mark we hit the hill, and that's where I passed a few people.  I got up a ways and could now see the leaders separating us.  Then we hit the downhill.  I was not ready for a downhill this steep.  I would've rather ran up it than down it.  I got passed by one person, but no one else really gained anything here on me.  The race didn't really change much until the next mile mark.  Mile 2: 10:00 (slower than I wanted, I wanted to hit all sub-5 miles)

     At the 2 mile mark I caught up to the back of the long line that could be considered the chase pack.  Ben Saarel was leading it.  I made my move at this mile mark though.  I passed many of the west guys and caught up to where I needed to be.  I kept my pace, mostly passing people, but I kept going back and forth with Zach Perrin, which was good for both of us.  After the second hill I was feeling it and I slowed down a bit too much; one of my mistakes.  I then hit the downhill and kept a good pace and heard a race director point to me and say 14.  I didn't know where I passed the next three guys, but at the end Zach Perrin flew caught a few seconds on me in just that last 200m.  I almost passed Andrew Gardner near the end, but he barely crossed the line before me.  I later heard I was 13th, or 14th, but at the results I found I was 12th.  Other guys from Utah: Kramer took 16th(barely missing all-American) and Ben took 4th.  The west team took 2nd out of 4, but only lost by 4 to the south.  Next year we'll beat them!

      My time was slower than I wanted, but my place was great.  The course isn't hard, and its down in elevation so I was hoping to run faster, I still had a good race. I just feel like I had something left at the end and I wasn't that sore afterward. I finished strong this season and definitely can't complain.  My goal was to make it to Nationals, and I made it so I can't complain.  Also, I'd like to thank everyone for the support and help along the way.  Afterward I did a cool down with Kramer and Summer.  This race was a great opportunity and I'm really excited for next year. 

It was also a lot of fun enjoying the activities Foot Locker had for us, staying at the Hotel Del Coronado, etc.


Me with Meb Keflezighi

Ryan Hall


Hotel Del Coronado

Before the Race

Warming up With Kramer

 

Race

 

After the Race:  Utah Runners


Comments
From Jake K on Sun, Dec 09, 2012 at 16:07:23 from 67.177.11.154

You deserve to sleep an entire day! Great job - so stoked for you! Looking forward to reading more.

From James on Sun, Dec 09, 2012 at 16:19:30 from 97.117.88.36

Way to represent Utah at Nationals!

From Andrea on Sun, Dec 09, 2012 at 18:44:21 from 67.177.11.154

Congrats on All American! Great race.

From allie on Sun, Dec 09, 2012 at 19:03:10 from 97.126.210.4

congratulations, conner.

From Holt on Sun, Dec 09, 2012 at 20:32:35 from 67.2.248.178

Great job Conner. An amazing season with more to come.

From PRE on Sun, Dec 09, 2012 at 20:47:14 from 99.50.213.11

Conner,

Hi. Again, Congratulations! Thanks for the report. You did great this year. I saw the videos for both races (and other cross country races), the results, and your interview (along with some of the other people interviewed). I thought it was kind of interesting that you came in 4th last week by sprinting by a couple guys at the end including John Dressel who came in 6th...and at the Nationals, you took 12th with Dressel taking 14th! You made dramatic gains this past 12 months. I have been following your blog but I think following these two races these past two weeks and researching them...really hit home for me how much work and dedication making these dramatic gains entails!!! Wishing you continued success! Oh and Jake's comment makes me laugh a bit - you can tell he is a serious athlete like yourself - he says after all your hard work you deserve to sleep "an entire day." Not a week - a day!

From Paul on Sun, Dec 09, 2012 at 21:14:07 from 67.41.204.67

Awesome job Conner, congrats! Way to represent Smithfield!

From Jake K on Mon, Dec 10, 2012 at 08:20:21 from 155.100.226.191

Great recap and pics Conner. You had an awesome year... really inspiring. It was a big goal to make nationals as a soph, and you not only did that, but ALL-AMERICAN as well! Amazing.

From scottkeate on Mon, Dec 10, 2012 at 09:59:50 from 192.150.9.200

Awesome race, Conner! Congrats on the the All-American finish. Great race report! Sounds like you had a pretty cool bus partner :-)

From Teena Marie on Mon, Dec 10, 2012 at 11:30:47 from 71.219.134.209

WOW!!! What a moment!!! Very impressive race. Congrats on All-American. :)

(EXTREMELY cool pics!)

From crhudman on Mon, Dec 10, 2012 at 12:13:49 from 174.27.55.168

Great Job.

From Rob Murphy on Mon, Dec 10, 2012 at 12:29:09 from 163.248.33.220

No surfing pictures?

From Dave S on Mon, Dec 10, 2012 at 20:08:52 from 63.248.248.225

Wow 12th place is awesome!! Sitting with Meb on the bus had to be pretty great too!!

From Nephi Eschler on Mon, Dec 10, 2012 at 20:21:24 from 209.33.192.201

You are legitimately the best somphmore in the Nation! You're the only sophmore to be ranked in the top 25 that's CRAZY! I wouldn't be surprised if you became the next national cross country champion within the next few years. Great job!

From Fritz on Mon, Dec 10, 2012 at 20:26:47 from 67.177.4.64

Great job Conner! You are already in an elite class and the best is yet to come. Those pictures are priceless.

From Smooth on Mon, Dec 10, 2012 at 20:58:44 from 71.35.231.124

CONGRATULATIONS Conner!!!! WOW!!! Achieving All American as a sophomore is SUPER impressive!!!! :) What a remarkable achievement! Wonderful time spent with Meb. Love the pictures! :) :) :) Thanks for sharing! :)

From Luis Vidal on Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 23:54:41 from 174.27.167.253

Wow, awesome job Conner!! I'm so jealous you go to meet Ryan Hall!

From Superfly on Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 12:36:10 from 74.211.21.81

Super job!

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