New Mustang and junior, Justin Rawe, came in like a dedicated, hard working athlete this year for Shadow Ridge Track and Field. Not only did Rawe break the school record in the 1600 m with an impressive time of 4:16:48, he also broke the 1 mile (which is actually 1609 m) school record as well, running it in 4:17:74.
Rawe has some serious competition in fellow junior, Carson Wetzel, though who also posts impressive times. Both are talented athletes who continue to push each other to reach their maximum potential.
Before his school record breaking event in the 1600, Rawe had just finished his 800 meter race.
Rawe states, “I had just run the 800 and I was really sore, I still really wanted to break 4:20 though so I ignored the pain in that moment.”
Rawe achieved the record breaking time at a meet in California where he was running at sea level making it easier to breathe; when he ran, his stamina was slightly enhanced.
“Being at sea level made it so much easier to breathe which was part of the main reasons why I PR’d,” Rawe states.
Rawe states, “At the beginning of the race I was in the lead for about two laps feeling pretty confident, but I started to fall behind a bit towards the second half of the race. I feel like I probably would’ve ran faster if Carson was with me since we push each other and practice together everyday. The last 100 is when I really started to kick, which got me second in the race and a new school record, which I’m proud about. I am now hoping to break the 800, 1600 and 1 mile school record.”
Rawe started running in the fourth grade. However he didn’t start taking it seriously until about his sophomore year when he could see how far he could get in running long distance.
“I’d say in fourth grade I was still a little kid so running was kind of just for fun and when I got into high school I was playing basketball. But once I transferred, the environment of Shadow’s track team really shifted my focus and encouraged me to start engaging more into running long distance,” Rawe stated.
Track and Field Coach, Mike Smith is impressed with Rawe’s performance this year.
“Justin is one of our most interesting athletes on the team. He is such a goofball but at the same time focused and hard working. He will try to outwork everyone but turn right around and crack a joke while barely being able to breath. However, he is a very special athlete that knows how to push his teammates and himself to get better. We are very lucky to have an athlete like him on this team.”
