In this edition, we sit down with current men's cross-country runner Ahmad Rutherford . A senior from Pemberton, NJ, the Communicaton major is also a member of the Warner track and field team that competes during the spring semester. Like many other track and field participants, Ahmad uses cross-country not only to compete at a high level but also to maintain his physical conditioning for the upcoming track and field season. Last season he qualified for the NAIA Indoor & Outdoor National Championships and this year he has his eyes set on qualifying for the Cross-Country National Championships.
Q: What were some of your concerns about this year’s squad? Any expectations?
AR: My main concern going in to this year was how the freshmen will adapt to the practices. Yes, I do have expectations for this year’s team and they are to win a conference and national championship.
Q: What are some of the goals you set for yourself in cross-country going in to this season?
AR: Prior to this year, cross-country has been more like a preparation for the track season for me, but this year I have set the goal to make it to nationals.
Q: How does cross-country prepare you for the upcoming track & field season?
AR: Cross-country prepares me in that it gives me the base, and stamina to help me finish races strong.
Q: What is your impression of Coach Gonzalez and the cross-country program in general?
AR: Coach G is a great coach and mentor to all of us. I say she is somewhat like a mother to us; she not only teaches us how to be good athletes but also good people, I would not trade her for any coach I ever ran for in the past. My impression of the cross-country program is that it is a great stepping-stone for the younger athletes and it gets us mentally prepared for a long season we have ahead of us.
Q: Looking back at your first year at Warner, what are some of the things you have learned (Sport related)?
AR: I have learned that smaller is better. Small teams tend to gel a lot more than bigger teams in my opinion, and we are a family, we walk through fire with each other, and I know now why God has put me in this position in my life.
Q: Have there been any funny moments for you in practice?
AR: The funniest moment in practice this season was when one of my teammates slipped and fell face first in to a pile of mud-water. He was so mad, Coach G was laughing as well.
Q: What has been the ‘funniest’ off-the-course moment for you so far?
AR: The funnies off-the-course moment thus far in the season is when Chris [Moon] hit Latonya [Hopson] in the head with a Tootsie Roll, she had a big red mark on her forehead for like a week.
Q: How would you describe your athletic experience here at Warner?
AR: My athletic experience at Warner has been great; I would not change it for the world.
Q: What are you taking with you from your cross-country experience at Warner?
AR: I am taking with me that you have to be mentally tough to make it through every hard practice, every morning run and every long run.
Q: If you could do it over again, what would you do different as a freshman entering college and playing a sport?
AR: If I could do it all over again I would pay more attention to people and not behave as if I know everything, I would be more patient for success because it will come in due time.