Episode Details

Anthony Godfrey:
You are the first in Jordan School District.

Jackson Spencer:
I think it's pretty awesome just to be able to bring another level of excellence into this school district.

Anthony Godfrey:
How much do you run in a week?

Jackson Spencer:
In a week, at this point, probably around 50. Fifty miles a week.

Anthony Godfrey:
Fifty miles a week.

Jackson Spencer:
Yeah. I just like the feeling of pushing that body to the fastest limits.

Anthony Godfrey
Hello and welcome to The Supercast. I'm your host, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. You could say he was born to run with a high school career in cross country that is hard to beat. On this episode of The Supercast, meet Herriman High School's Jackson Spencer, who was recently named the National Gatorade Player of the Year in Boys Cross Country. Find out what sets Spencer apart from others in his sport, and how his love for running is paving a path for future success, quite possibly in the Olympics.

Anthony Godfrey
We are here today at Herriman High School talking with Jackson Spencer, the Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Player of the Year. Jackson, thanks for taking a few minutes to talk with us.

Jackson Spencer:
Of course, yeah. Thanks for having me.

Anthony Godfrey
Tell me what it feels like to be the National Gatorade Player of the Year. You are the first in Jordan School District.

Jackson Spencer:
I think it's pretty awesome just to be able to bring another level of excellence into this school district, and to be able to set the bar just a little bit higher.

Anthony Godfrey:
Now, you had a race just this last weekend where you conquered once again. Talk to us about that.

Jackson Spencer:
Yeah, it was super fun. I was up against a lot of good competition from Utah and Idaho, and it's at the Simplot Games, which I really like. But yeah, it was kind of a race for me to just see back into what fitness I was in. I think it actually went really nicely, way better than I expected, so it went well.

Anthony Godfrey:
So how did it go better? Just ultimate time? I know with cross country it's always about the course and the course conditions, and the competition and all of that. Talk us through the race a little bit.

Jackson Spencer:
The time, I think it's more about time on the track. Yeah, I put down a consistent solid effort, and I was able to go out and hold it, which I'm really happy about. I got a really good time better than what I was expecting.

Anthony Godfrey:
Could you see the people behind you coming in second, or how far ahead? What were you?

Jackson Spencer:
Well, after I finished, I looked back and saw them coming in.

Anthony Godfrey:
So you had a good little distance between you and the next kids down the road. What do you do to prepare for a race? What do you do to be at your best and be ready to go?

Jackson Spencer:
I'll make sure to get a really good night's sleep for 9 to 10 hours, and then I'll make sure I eat. I always eat oatmeal, and then I'll do this thing that I'll drink. It's called beetroot powder. I drink that, and it's better. It's good for oxygen consumption in the blood.

Anthony Godfrey:
Beetroot powder?

Jackson Spencer:
Yeah, beetroot powder. Its got lots of nitrates.

Anthony Godfrey: