On the run

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For The Tribune

Whether he’s running on a course or an oval, Seymour’s Cooper Morrow always enjoys a race.

He has been a three-year semistate qualifier, and was part of the 2015 team that won the Hoosier Hills Conference meet.

In track, the distance has helped the Owls win sectionals the past two years, and helped the 800 relay team qualify for the regional last year.

Morrow began running in fifth grade at Immanuel Lutheran School.

A few years late, he got a little more competitive.

“I’ve done cross-country since fifth grade and track since eighth grade,” Morrow said. “I just like the environment of the team, the attitude, and how we just work hard and we do things together.” The runners meet on a weekly basis, during the season, at a local restaurant for food and fellowship.

Morrow has split his time between running No. 2 and No. 3 for the Owls this fall.

His career-best time is 17:16, and his goal is to get in the 16-minute club.

“I’m hoping to make it to semistate and hoping to get in the 16:40s, and maybe make it to state,” Morrow said. “The second mile is my main point right now because it’s usually around six minutes and I need to get that down, probably to the 5:30s. I go out (first mile) in about 5:20, and my last mile is usually my fastest.

“Brown County would have to be my favorite course, or Ceraland (Columbus). They are really fast.”

Morrow said he tries to run year-around to stay in shape.

While practicing for meets, he works both mind and body.

“The mental part is the hardest part about cross-country,” Morrow said. “You always have to stay focused on what you’re doing, and remember you’re not just doing it for yourself, you’re doing it for your team.

“You always have to train hard, but don’t over-train because that will make you burn out and get hurt quickly.”

He said he has learned how to pace himself during the meets.

“I usually don’t go out hard,” Morrow said. “I figured that out over time. Its 3.1 miles and you’re not going to win it in the first mile. I like the different courses a lot. Bedford is hillier, and Brown County is flat with just one hill.”

The senior’s favorite races in track are the 800 4×800 relay.

“I’m not much of a miler. I’m more of an 800 runner so I can sprint quickly around,” Morrow said.

His career best some far is 2:06.

“The start is really important because if you get boxed in then you’ll just fall behind where you want to be. I like the inside, but the outside can always help sometimes,” Morrow said.

He said his highlight in cross-country was helping the Owls win the conference, and his highlight in track it was qualifying for the regional last year.

He has enjoyed being as student at Seymour.

“I love Seymour High School,” Morrow said. “I’m going to remember my teammates.”

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Name: Cooper Morrow

School: Seymour High School

Parents: Gerald and Jobeth Morrow

Sibling: Abby

Sports: cross-country 4 years, track 3 years, basketball 3 years

Athletic highlights: cross-country- 3-time semi-state qualifier, 2015 Hoosier Hills Conference champion; track- 2-time sectional champions, regional qualifier in 800 relay in 2016.

Organizations: National Honor Society, D.A.R.E. role model

Plans after high school: attend college

Favorite food: steak

Favorite TV show: The Flash

Favorite musician: Post Malone

Favorite movie: Lone Survivor

Favorite athlete: Steve Prefontaine

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