Kara Wagenknecht
West Side Story: When did you start running?
Gabe Caruthers: I’ve always done sports, but I have never really been good at them. Except for in football I could get down the field fast and in baseball I could get to the bases fast. So, I was kind of always liked running but just not as a sport yet.
WSS: Why did you decide to do track?
GC: My seventh grade year I did football and then the same deal, I was running and then [the coaches] were like, “Are you going to go out for track? You are fast.” And then I asked, “What’s track?” and they said, “Well it’s a sport where you just run.” So then I was like, “Oh this sounds fun, I guess I’ll go out.”
WSS: What is your favorite part about track?
GC: My favorite part about track is this exhilarating feeling I get when I’m doing my thing, and I’m running fast. I’m good at it. I mean it’s just a great feeling.
WSS: Who has been your biggest mentor in track?
GC: My biggest mentor has been J.C. Moreau of Strength U. I did not really have a lot of discipline going into track, like good form and technique, but, through him I learned quite a bit. I got a lot better this year because of him.
WSS: What is your favorite event to run?
GC: The 200-meter dash. In the 100-meter dash I can’t really get full speed; it’s just a technique thing. But in the 200-meter dash I can get full speed, like it’s all out. I have the speed endurance for it and I do great in it.
WSS: What is your best memory from track so far?
GC: The districts qualifying meet. I told the team at the beginning of the season I’m going to run a 21.9 this year and at first they [doubted me] and just at the qualifying meet I ran a 21.97, so I did it.
WSS: What are your goals for the future?
GC: Run next year. Run my senior year. Run for college and I really want to go to the Olympics, but, we’ll have to see how far I can get.