Wichita East runner Gannon Edson enters the season with an ambitious goal: helping the Blue Aces qualify for the Class 6A state meet while putting himself in position to earn a medal.
Edson is especially looking forward to one particular race.
“With this upcoming season I am most excited to compete at Olathe Twilight and run on the fastest course in the state,” Edson said.
Edson has spent the offseason building his endurance and preparing his body for the demands of another cross country season.
He has increased his mileage, extended his long runs and incorporated quality workouts into his training. He has also emphasized mobility and stretching as part of his preparation in an effort to stay healthy throughout the season.
“To prepare for this season I have been running high mileage, such as lengthening my long runs, and been doing quality workouts,” Edson said. “I have also been working on my mobility such as stretching to prevent injury.”
While Edson has put considerable work into his physical preparation, he believes his biggest opportunity for improvement this season is mental.
Edson wants to maintain his focus during races and workouts rather than allowing his mind to wander.
“This season I want to work on my mental focus during races,” he said. “I have a bad habit of zoning out and I want to be more focused during my races, and workouts.”
That focus could be especially important as Edson pursues his biggest individual goal.
After finishing 30th in Class 6A at the state meet last season, Edson wants to take another step forward and finish among the medalists in his final high school cross country season.
“As for myself I want to medal at state,” Edson said. “I feel like that would be a great way to end my high school cross country experience.”
Edson also has his sights set on helping Wichita East make the state meet as a team.
“For my team, I really want us to qualify for state,” he said. “I have full confidence that we can.”
Edson enters the season with plenty of evidence that he can compete at a high level. Last cross country season, he recorded a personal-best time of 16 minutes, 36 seconds at the league meet before placing 30th at the Class 6A state meet.
He continued that success during track season, running a 4:29 mile and a 9:59 two-mile.
Now, Edson hopes to translate that experience and speed into a strong final cross country campaign.
With increased mileage behind him, a renewed focus on staying healthy and an emphasis on sharpening his mental approach, Edson believes he has put himself in position for his best season yet.
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