By Todd Taylor
To become an elite high school athlete takes dedication, no matter what the sport.
But becoming one of the state’s best cross country runners takes dedication to a whole new level.
Brownsburg senior Scott Vicenzi recently placed third at the cross country state finals. What it took to get there might surprise you.
“I ran in the 70s for miles per week this year and last year it was more in the 50s or 60s,” he said. “I really upped the mileage this year. It started way back in the summer.”
Vicenzi’s coach Bret Neylon says 10 of those miles are run before school even begins.
“It’s really difficult,” Neylon said. “No. 1 you have to stay healthy. No. 2 you have to run morning workouts. Two days a week he puts in a five-mile run before school. It’s pretty exhausting and difficult to do.”
In addition to his third-place finish at state, Vicenzi was champion at county, conference, sectional, and regional. He was semistate runner up and broke the school record with a run of 15:14.1 en route to winning the Southport Invitational.
For his efforts, Vicenzi has been named the Hendricks County Flyer Male Athlete of the Season.
Vicenzi has come a long way since his high school career began. Even he couldn’t have envisioned his third-place finish at state back when he was a freshman.
“I certainly didn’t think this could happen my freshman year,” he said. “My best time was a 16:42. My sophomore year was when I really started to get good. I made it to state in track in field.
“After my sophomore year is when I started to realize that I was going to be pretty good. I kept on getting better every year to get me where I am now.”
As a junior Vicenzi battled knee tendonitis, but still placed 24th at the state meet. Not satisfied, he took his training to the next level.
“From last year to this year there’s a big difference,” Neylon said. “Not only the miles he ran, but his work ethic in general. It was a different Scott this year. He did all the little things.”
Though Vicenzi’s high school cross country career is over, he may not be done with his trips to the award’s podium. Last spring Vicenzi was all-state in the 3200 meter run in track, finishing eighth (9:19.67).
Judging by his training regiment for the cross county season, it would be hard to put another medal at state past him.
“People don’t realize that running is an all year round sport if you want to be good,” Vicenzi said. “You have to keep running in the offseason if you want to get better, it’s a lot of work.”
Following his senior year Vicenzi wants to run in college, but has yet to decide where.
todd.taylor@flyergroup.com
