Interview: Pearl River Central's Landon Dossett


Landon Dossett is a sophomore at Pearl River Central High School. According to Coach Hindman, Dossett is "one of those quiet student-athletes that has a great work ethic in the classroom and in sports." He is currently PRC's number two runner, right behind Hunter Bond. Landon has already shaved over a minute and half off of his 5K time this season. He's running 20:16 and I think he'll crack 19 at his next meet, the Ocean Springs Invite on 9/17.

DP: What is your name, what grade are you in, and what school do you go to? 

LD: Landon Dossett, 10th, and Pearl River Central High School.

DP: What is your GPA and ACT score? 

LD: I have a 4.0 GPA and I haven´t taken my ACT yet.

DP: Awesome, what is your favorite color? 

LD: Blue

DP: What is your current PR in the 5K? 

LD: 20:16.49

DP: What is the next goal, time, or mark that you are trying to hit? 

LD: My goal is to get into the 19s, and I will go from there.

DP: What is your favorite workout your Coach has you do?

LD: A 3-mile run and then striders.

DP: What is your least favorite workout? 

LD: Intervals with a 30-second surge and then a 5-minute easy pace, and we do that 8 times. 

DP: That sounds intense. What are your plans after high school? 

LD: I don´t really know yet, but one of my goals is to hopefully play soccer or cross country.

DP: Great, good luck with that. What motivates you to train? 

LD: I have a lot of motivations that I keep to myself, but one of them is just to prove people wrong.

DP: Gotcha. Do you have any superstitions on a meet day or perhaps an odd pre-meet routine? 

LD: I try to say a prayer before I run.

DP: Prayer is very important and good for you. Now, a serious question...Gatorade or Powerade? 

LD: I don´t really have a preference, but I guess Gatorade.

DP: Why? 

LD: 'Cause that is what my mom buys me.

DP: Ha, ok. Jersey (Singlet), tucked or untucked? 

LD: Untucked.

DP: Do you have a favorite meal for the night before a meet? 

LD: I preferable would like to eat some sort of pasta the night before.

DP: Do you take ice baths? If yes, what do you think about during an ice bath? 

LD: I don´t take ice baths.

DP: Name a lesson that cross country has taught you. 

LD: To never give up.

DP: Do you have a rival runner? 

LD: Yes, Hunter Bond.

DP: Ah, you're a teammate. I see he's about 25 seconds ahead of you. What about your team? Who is your team's biggest rival? 

LD: Picayune.

DP: What do you do to recover after a meet? 

LD: I stretch, drink lots of water, and eat a lot of food.

DP: Saints or Bucs? 

LD: Saints.

DP: Who Dat!? What is your favorite thing about your coaches? 

LD: I like how easy it is to communicate with my coaches.

DP: Who is your biggest fan? 

LD: My mom.

DP: What advice would you like to share with younger runners, maybe the JH kids on your team? 

LD: When you're first starting out, don't focus on placement but on trying to beat your PR every meet.

DP: PR at every meet! That's what I say. Have you had any injuries you've had to deal with in your career? 

LD: I've had a problem with a growth plate in my left foot, hip and back problems, and right now I have issues with my Achilles tendon.

DP: What is your greatest accomplishment in cross country? 

LD: As a freshman, I moved into our school's top 5 mid-way through the season.

DP: What is an outrageous fear that you have? For example, I fear sharks in a swimming pool.

LD: I don´t really know. 

DP: Landon, it was nice to get to know you. Good luck with the rest of the season.