Andrew Ramos (12) - Frankfort

Interviewed by Stephen M. Bain

 

 

It was a perfect evening for distance running on April 17th. Colin and I were up in our cozy press box that was offered by a very kind Franklin Central staff lead by Coach Kellison. We began making our predictions and talking about the races about to unfold before us.

The “slow” heat of the boys mile was going to be the first individual race. While this was the slower of the two heats, we knew we were going to expect some fast results with some good quality runners in the race. However, neither of us picked the victor who won in a pretty dominating fashion as he ran himself to a new PR. Covering the 1609 meters in 4:21 was the Hotdog of Frankfort High School, Andrew Ramos. This kid, who started his running career by trying to keep up with his big sister on vacation runs is now a senior, made a name for himself on this beautiful spring night.

Andrew was kind enough to volunteer some time to answer a couple of questions concerning the past, present and future of his running…

Bain: First Andrew, can you walk us through the race? How did you expect the race to go compared to what actually happened?

Ramos: Well I was expecting the race to either go out very slow, or very fast, either way I didn’t want to be in the lead. I wanted to be about 3nd or 4th until the last lap and then go all out. My coach and I discussed what my splits should be and we thought a 64, 2:10, 3:16, and then finish with a 4:19 was within my capabilities. Back to how the race went… In the beginning I got kind of trapped in from all sides but the front wasn’t too far out so I was not worried. After hearing the first lap time either a 65, or 66, I think, Craig took the lead and I knew this was my time to go as well. For the next laps I just tried to stay with him. He would get about 7 feet in front of me and then I would get back with him. Finally, here was the last lap and it was Craig, then myself and still then I was trying to stay with him. He started to pick it up a lot with about 200 to go and I thought I wasn’t going to get him but with about 100 to go I just went for it and once I passed him I expected him to pass me back but it never happened and I ended up with a 4:21.

Bain: You were pretty unknown to most of the state before this race, how have you progressed over the years?

Ramos: My freshman year I ran a 2:14 800 and a 5:00 1600. Going into high school I ran track but I didn’t even run cross, basketball was my life, that’s all I did, all day, all summer. Things began to change after my sophomore year in track when I ran a 2:04 split. Our school record for the 800 is a 1:58.7 and that became my goal. A few of my good friends ran xc and they convinced me to run. So without Austin Cline, Ramon, Chairez, and Troy Chester, I would not be here. We had a pretty good year (made it to semi-state) and that motivated us for track where we broke our 4x8 record with an 8:06. That was definitely one of the best moments of my running career. I remember getting the baton and just staring at Tito’s back. After the first lap he looked over his shoulder and I was still there… (that felt really cool) but then at about 300 to go he took off and I had nothing near to what he had left. That was my first sub 2 spilt and my 4 by 8 team was ecstatic because we were going to regionals!

Bain: Frankfort made it to the state finals this past cross country season, how was that experience and how are you using that experience for this season?

Ramos: That experience is something I will never forget. I will never forget the day at New Prairie; we were in the gym listening to the order… Once it got to about 10th my whole team was so nervous, then when it came down the 7th place, once we heard the wes… one my teammates jumped on all of us and we went crazy, we didn’t know if it was West Lafayette or if it was Western, (it turned out to be Western) but it was the best feeling of my life. To my teammates and myself, semi-state was our state meet, and although we got 6th, we felt like we won the state meet that day. That experience made me realize that if you work, put in the miles, the sweat, and the time, you can surprise everyone and accomplish your goals.

Bain: Without giving away too many secrets, what are your plans for the rest of this track season?

Ramos: My goals are to make top 9 at state in the 4 by 800, and top 5 in either the 800 or the mile. My goals time wise this year are 4:12 in the 1600 and sub 1:56 800.

Bain: What are your plans for college?

Ramos: College, well as all of my friends know… I go back and forth between colleges daily between Indiana University and Butler. Initially I was not going to run at college but now I have decided I would love to and it would be a great experience. I have a meeting with Butler tomorrow (Wednesday) and then I have a meeting with IU on the following Monday. Wherever I go, it will not just be because of the running program, but because of the type of education I will receive at the university.

Bain: Any advice you would like to give to other harriers out there who are striving to get to where you are?

Ramos: “Running is 90% mental and 10% physical.” If you want to be good, it’s up to you. Your coach can motivate you, your friends can push you, but only you can run that extra mile or that last 400. What always pushes me when I don’t feel like running is knowing that if I don’t, I will not accomplish my goals… and that always makes me go.