INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM... Jimmy Butcher '08 gives us some answers

Author: Tom McCann, Sports Editor

The Campus: Where did you go to school?

Jimmy Butcher: I'm from Long Island - went to Garden City High School - public high school.

Campus: Did you run there?

JB: I did, I ran four years of track and four years of cross country. I was captain of my team my junior and senior year. I mean, I hadn't run till high school. I was actually looking for a sport to do during the fall. I had a couple of good races to start off and just stuck with it.

Campus: Did you get recruited to come here?

JB: I did. I spoke to both Terry Aldrich who's our head coach and Nicole Wilkerson, our assistant coach. It came down to a couple of NESCAC schools. I think, really, in the end it came down to my visit here. I just got to know all the guys on the team, really fell in love with the atmosphere and loved the competitive drive. I loved the fact that our program seemed to be on the rise, which it continues to be, and just really wanted to be a part of it.

Campus: How do you get the sense that it's on the rise?

JB: If you look at just the past couple of years - I think five years ago we finished 47th in D-III New England's and this past year we finished seventh. So, I mean, just a huge improvement. Our freshman class this year is very strong and our incoming class is as strong as it's ever been, so we're definitely taking some huge strides.

Campus: How did you qualify for Nationals on your own?

JB: Pretty much, the way you qualify for Nationals in cross country, the whole season comes down to one race. It's D-III New England's and it's the National qualifier, so they take the top three teams and then the top seven individuals without all those three teams, and I finished 12th, and was one of the top seven not on the three teams.

Campus: Did you hang out with the women?

JB: I was the one guy - just went along with the women's team. It was cool, all the girls had been there before, so they were actually able to help me a little bit - tell me, like, what to expect, the atmosphere and all the pressure and stuff that's associated with being out there at Nationals.

Campus: Did your coach go with you?

JB: Yeah, I had both Terry and Nicole helping me. It was great to have them out there.

Campus: Was it strange without your team?

JB: It was - not gonna lie, it was kinda strange and a little intimidating being on the line at the start of the race all by yourself. But at the same time, you look around and you see the other guys you've raced against throughout the year and you know that you belong there with them.

Campus: How did the race go for you?

JB: It was a really challenging course - definitely one of the most challenging courses I've ever run on - a lot of hills, the terrain was very rough, the course was slippery - it had rained a couple of nights before. The race went out fast as was to be expected in a big race like that. I ran a pretty smart race - went out conservatively, then started to pick guys off at the end which is exactly what I wanted to do.

Campus: Explain how cross country is a team sport.

JB: Oh, I think a lot of people don't understand how important the team really is. I mean, we're out there running 100 miles a week and I just can't even imagine doing that on your own. And just, I mean, if you have a bad day, some of the other guys on your team are pushing you and then when you're out there on the race too, you look around there are definitely times around like, mile four, maybe a half mile to go, where your mind starts, like, wandering, definitely thinking about maybe quitting, but you've got all those guys back there pushing you and it definitely gives you a big boost.

Campus: Shoes of choice?

JB: I'm a big fan of New Balance actually - started in high school, fell in love with them. Actually, when I race, I race in Nike spikes. Just, again, I had Nike spikes in high school - something I just stuck with.

Campus: Do you have any superstitions we should know about?

JB: I mean, warming up for a race I'll warm up exactly the same - go through the same jogging and same stretching. Usually, an hour and 15 minutes before the race I'll jog for about like, 22 minutes, actually. Then I do a couple of strides, same stretching and I actually have a pair of gold shorts that I've worn ever since sophomore year of high school, and I keep on wearing those before every race too, kinda like my lucky game-day shorts.

Campus: Why do cross country athletes tend to perform so well academically?

JB: I think in both cases it's just all motivation. Just to be out there running, you have to stay really focused. It's the same thing with academics. I'd just say that a lot of it is just determination, that's what it comes down to.

Campus: Best moment in your running career?

JB: I'd say it was probably, actually at track last year. Other teams kinda weren't looking for us and we shocked a lot of people taking third ­- almost took second place - it was just, it was really exciting. That day, I ran the 10k and I took second place in that which is pretty good as a freshman and then I came back and tried to double up in the 5k which is kind of an unheard of double - didn't end up working out too well. I took ninth, which was one out of scoring, but it was just a good effort - kinda showed me what I could do - that I could push myself that hard.

Campus: So, what are your goals for next year?

JB: I'm really going to try and get to nationals in the 10k and the 5k. I'd have to run some pretty impressive times to do that, but uh, but I just talked with my coaches and I think it's definitely an attainable goal - a lot of work, but definitely something I'd like to do. Then next year, for cross country, I'd love to have our team qualify for nationals - to get our whole team out there. That would be great and we definitely have the talent and it's a great group of guys to do it - it's just a matter of working hard.

Campus: So, if you were President of Middlebury for one day, what would you do?

JB: That's a tough question. [Pause] You know something? I think, I think I might call a mountain day -- let everyone go outside, whether it be skiing, get some exercise in, get on a bike or something. I think that'd be a lot of fun - just hang out with your buddies.

- Tom McCann, Sports Editor