Name - Brock Kelly
School - Tupelo Christian
Q: What does your training look like right now given the current situation?
A: With my current training regimen, I am getting more mileage than usual because I have much more time. Unfortunately, motivation is hard to find during speed workouts because there is no set goal in mind. It's tough mentally, but I am still getting the work done.
Q: What are you doing to stay busy other than run right now?
A: I've been doing schoolwork, photography, and making YouTube videos about running and photography. I've also been watching a lot of Netflix, drinking lots of coffee, and eating loads of food.
Q: What was your most memorable race/moment?
A: My most memorable race/moment was the 1a 4x4 State Championship comeback from 2019.
Link:https://ms.milesplit.com/
Q: What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career?
A: The funniest thing to happen during my running career was anything that happened at Jim N Nicks BBQ after the indoor meets. Like one time, this guy lost his brand new iPhone behind a booth at Jim N' Nicks BBQ after an indoor meet. They spent at least an hour trying to get it out and finally they managed to scoop it up. The entire waitstaff was crowded around this corner. Another time, we ate as many biscuits as we possibly could and all felt terrible afterward. I think I ate 12. But it's fun to look back on it and laugh.
Q: Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
A: My biggest competition in running HS for 6 years was probably Jarvis Harris. He was the fastest guy in 1a whenever I started in 7th grade and I spent 4 years chasing him. He's a super nice guy and actually stopped to help me when I fell out at the state meet.
Q: What was your greatest accomplishment?
A: My greatest accomplishment in running was winning the state XC meet in 11th grade, after failing to complete the race the previous year. A close second would probably be my Indoor 1600m PR this past season where I went head to head with some of the fastest guys in MS, GA, and AL.
Q: If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
A: If I had the knowledge of training that I have now, then I would have started taking running more seriously at a younger age and put more work in during my middle school and early high school years.
Q: What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
A: Overcoming my falling out at the cross country state meet in 10th grade was one of the most difficult obstacles I had to face. But, like anything, the cure was running more miles. I distinctly remember running a 20-mile long run 3 weeks after the incident as a means to reconnect with my inner self and get back on track.
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: I'm going to miss the 5k cross country racing distance as I move on to 8ks and 10ks.
Q: What advice would you give to younger athletes?
A: I would advise younger athletes to have fun and enjoy the ride. Take every second of the experience in, because it'll be over before you know it. There is no easy way or shortcut to becoming the best you can be. It requires lots of tedious running, smart training tactics, teamwork, good coaching, and incorporating more mileage into your regimen. But...this doesn't mean you can't have fun with it. Happy running :)
Q: What kind of impact has your coach had on you and your team?
A: Our coach has really helped to bring the team together. Through his hard work and dedication to the program, he has allowed us to take home 6 different state championship titles. His open-mindedness, relentlessness, and determination have played a very vital role in our success. He's the glue that holds it all together.
Q: What are your college plans?
A: I plan to attend Mississippi College where I will major in Entrepreneurial Business and run on both the Track and Cross Country teams there.
Q: Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
A: I would like to thank my family for pushing me to be the best that I can be. They've never "sugar-coated" anything and aren't afraid to snap me into place if I get out of line. They've also shown me that success requires a lot of hard work and dedication.
Thank you mom and dad for always driving me to practice, feeding me, and cheering me on at meets. Thank you Honey and DG for your endless love and support. Thank you Mary Clair and Mimi for always being there at the meets when it mattered most. Thank you Coach Warnick for pushing the team to be something great. Thank you Coach Brown for helping me with training and racing. Thank you Coach Renecker for giving me the opportunity to run on a collegiate level. Thank you to my teammates for always being there to encourage me and help me when the going gets tough. Also, special thanks to MileSplit for always covering the meets. You guys are the best.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
A: Another piece of advice: Don't worry about what other people think. It won't matter in the grand scheme of things. So take the chance and go after what you want in life. You may just surprise yourself where you end up.
Q: Favorite Meal?
A: A nice juicy steak-- medium rare with some asparagus and a baked potato. Maybe some coffee and ice cream for dessert.
Q: If you could be any animal what would you choose? and why?
A: I would probably be an eagle because that sounds cool.
Q: Your favorite superhero?
A: Iron Man.