Christopher Carson '18 Recruiting Profile

My name is Christopher Carson, and I am a 5'8", 135 lb, distance runner. My preferred events include the 1600m, the 3200m, and the 5k.  I began running track six years ago with my club team, Running Rebels Youth Distance Club. Through this team, I have had the pleasure of participating in four AAU Junior Olympic Games as well as one AAU Cross Country National Championship. The Running Rebels helped teach me to persevere and set goals that are within my reach. While running with my club team I made a transformation from being the hunter to the hunted. To my surprise, the change was not something I noticed, but rather something that was pointed out to me. I found that it was easier to be a front runner than it was to chase the pack from the back. To make being a front runner a little easier, I worked hard at practice on separating myself from the pack when the gun goes off as quickly as possible. After developing starting skills and trying to improve on them as much as possible, I moved on to High School Cross Country with the Central Lancers' Varsity Team. Being a freshman in the largest special admission school in Philadelphia, I was a little nervous about learning to balance school, a social life, and my year-long commitment to running. However, even with Central's workload, it was fairly easy to juggle everything. Everyone on the team welcomed me into Central with open arms, which made me feel a lot safer about being in a new environment. A few weeks after preseason started, my teammates told me about their goals for the 2014 Cross Country Season, which made me think about my goals for the season. I decided 19:00 is a good goal for my Freshman year of Cross Country. At the Public League Championships, I ran my final personal record of the season, 18:34. At the end of the race, I received an award for All-Public and a trophy for placing eighth at the meet. My goal for the 5k before I leave High School is to run 15:30. During the Track and Field Season I wanted to primarily run the 1600m and the 3200m; however, I found myself running the 3200m and the 4x800. My goal for the 3200m was to run 10:30 and my goal for the 800m was to run any time under 2:10. At the end of the season, I had successfully achieved my goals with a 10:29 in the 3200m and a 2:06 in the 800m. Being on the varsity track team I learned to adjust my running style based on the race dynamic. Before I graduate, I would like to run under 9:30 in the 3200m and 1:52 in the 800m. To successfully run these times I plan to make my 400m splits more consistent no matter what race I am in. Being at Central has caused my to realize that being a small fish in a large pond is not enough for me. I want to be a big fish that is a part of the National Honors Society and in the top ten percent of my class. To help me get there, next year I am increasing my workload by taking AP Chemistry as well as five other honors courses.  After High School, I want to go to a college that would allow me to decide what I want to do with the rest of my life, whether it is law or something in the entertainment industry. Also, I would like to attend a college that offers an excellent track and cross country program. When it comes to track and cross country I intend on bringing every ounce of passion, drive, creativity, determination, and spirit I have developed to become not only the best I can be, but support the team and my teammates in being the best that they can be.