The Sunday Shakeout

Sometimes the athletes who go the farthest are the ones who never made the biggest splash at the start.

Hunter Robbie didn't become a two-time Nike Cross Nationals All-American overnight. The 2026 Niwot High School graduate grew from an overlooked middle school runner into one of the leaders of the greatest cross country dynasty in the country, helping Niwot capture back-to-back NXN titles and three straight Colorado 5A state championships.

His senior season was one of remarkable consistency. Hunter finished sixth at Nike Cross Nationals in 15:11 to earn his second...

This week, I'm taking a break from guest interviews to share a few lessons from my final varsity camp before senior cross country.

We talk about why I decided to step away from Strava, what chasing social validation was quietly doing to my training, and how I'm learning to focus less on what everyone else is doing and more on becoming the best version of myself. I also reflect on the teammates who shaped my high school running journey, what leadership has come to mean to me, and why taking care...

Andrew Brown was labeled a prodigy before he was old enough to drive. Then came the pressure, the setbacks, and the question every young athlete eventually faces: who are you when things don't go your way?

The rising senior from Tupelo High School to its first Class 7A cross country state championship since 2013 while winning his second straight individual state title. He followed it with a dominant track season, sweeping the Class 7A 1600m and 3200m titles before breaking the Mississippi state record with an 8:52 performance at Nike Outdoor Nationals.

In 2026, Oak Knoll School's Reagan Moore cemented herself as one of the premier 800-meter runners in the United States.

The rising senior from Summit, New Jersey claimed her second national title this June, running wire-to-wire to win the New Balance Nationals Outdoor 800 meters in 2:05.00 at Franklin Field. It was a different kind of victory than the one that first put her on the national stage.

Just a year earlier, Moore produced one of the most memorable finishes of the indoor season. Sitting 10th at the halfway mark of the...

In 2025, Coeur d'Alene High's Wyatt Carr stepped into a new role. The team's longtime leaders had graduated, and the responsibility of carrying one of the nation's premier distance programs now rested on his shoulders.

The Idaho standout responded with the best cross country season of his career. At the Idaho 6A State Championships, Carr ran 14:31.3 to finish runner-up while breaking a course record that had stood since 2022, leading Coeur d'Alene to a third consecutive state title.

Weeks later, Carr placed eighth at the Nike Cross Northwest Regional in 14:48.7. Although...

In 2026, Ballard High School’s Cassidy Armstrong closed out her career as one of Washington’s defining distance runners.

In late May, she delivered the defining performance of her high school career at the WIAA 3A State Championships, winning the 3200m in 10:13.69 to secure her first state title and complete an undefeated regular season campaign. Just weeks later, she went toe-to-toe with some of the best high schoolers in the nation, capping off her high school career with personal record runs at Brooks PR and Nike Outdoor Nationals.

Across it a...

She'd never raced a track meet before her junior year. Eighteen months later, she was standing among the fastest high school middle-distance runners in America.

The Ursuline School graduate and future UNC Tar Heel didn't grow up in the sport. Her athletic foundation came through swimming, gymnastics, and years of soccer, where speed was always her greatest weapon. When she finally gave track a chance during the winter of her junior year, she entered a world that was completely unfamiliar. One built on patience, accountability, and quiet confidence.

Her...

In 2026, Indiana watched a barrier fall that had stood for generations. Noah Bontrager was the one who broke it.

The Indiana standout, who is headed to Notre Dame this fall, capped off his indoor season by becoming the first Indiana high school boy to break four minutes in the mile, clocking 3:59.48 at New Balance Indoor Nationals to rank seventh all-time in U.S. high school indoor history.

His momentum carried into the spring, where he ran 8:41.28 for 3200 meters at the Carmel Showcase before sweeping the Indiana state championships in...

Just over a year ago, Abigail Hennessy wasn't sure she'd race again.

Today, the Westford Academy graduated senior owns three Massachusetts state records and has cemented herself as one of the premier high school distance runners in the United States.

After returning from a two-week hospitalization and months away from competition, Hennessy stunned the country by running a then-personal best of 4:42 in the mile at New Balance Indoor Nationals on limited training. It was only the beginning.

This past indoor season, she ran 4:36.74 to...

Over three years ago, I started this show as a casual basement passion project. Now, The Sunday Shakeout has grown to be one of the top high school running podcasts in the nation.

Unbelievable.

A podcast, however, is only as good as its support system. 
It's impossible to express, in words, how truly grateful I am for all of my friends, family, coaches, teammates, and every single guest and listener. This show would not exist if it weren't for all the support, and I don't take that for granted. 

"Pa...

Some athletes make headlines with their times. Others make you pay attention because of the story behind them.

Elise Corr is quickly becoming both.

The Seattle Prep standout claimed both the Metro League and District titles in the 1600 meters, then delivered the race of her season with a 4:55 to break a 26-year-old school record. She added a seventh-place finish at the WIAA Cross Country State Championships in the fall, another seventh-place finish in the 3200m at the WIAA State Track & Field Championships this spring, and now turns her attention...

Before the podium finishes. Before the national meets. Before the breakthrough performances.

There was just a kid who loved to run.

Tahoma High School's Carson Stafford has been chasing that feeling since he was five years old. Now entering his junior year, the Tahoma standout has quietly developed into one of the top young distance runners in Washington State.

This past May, Carson established himself among Washington's elite. At the 4A WIAA State Championships, he placed 3rd in the 3200m with a breakthrough 8:57 and...

15 state titles.

A national championship relay.

And a runner determined to prove that Washington, DC deserves a place in the national conversation.

This week on The Sunday Shakeout, I sat down with Georgetown Visitation rising senior Abby Anstett.

The Vienna, Virginia native has quietly built one of the most accomplished resumes in high school distance running. Competing for Georgetown Visitation in Washington, DC, Anstett has become a 15-time DC State Champion while helping elevate a region that often goes...

This week on the podcast, in addition to a guest interview, is a special episode with my best friend and teammate on the Seattle Prep Boys Cross-Country Team. Nash Howard is a rising senior on the team, along with myself.

This episode is very unserious and light-hearted. We discuss cross-country, pro runners in relation to Michael Jackson songs, and other nonsensical topics.

I hope you enjoy this episode of The Sunday Shakeout. If you found value or meaning, please consider leaving a follow and a five-star review on Apple...

In 2026, Barrington High School's Mia Sirois cemented herself as one of the premier distance runners in the nation.

The Illinois standout opened her year by winning the indoor national title in the 5,000 meters before carrying that momentum into the outdoor season. Already known as one of the country's top young talents, she continued to raise the standard with every race.

At the IHSA State Championships, Sirois defended her Class 3A title in the 3200 meters, running 9:44 and setting a new Illinois state meet record. She also added another state title...

As a freshman, Kingston Shillito ran 20 miles to prove a point.

Not because his coaches told him to. Not because it was on the training plan. Just because he wanted to show he could do it.

That story tells you a lot about who Kingston is.

The Franklin High School senior has quietly developed into one of the top distance runners in Washington. This spring, he captured the WIAA 3A State Championship in the 3200 meters and established himself as one of the state's most...

KINGSTON SHILLITO ON THE SHOW LATER TODAY

This is one of the most introspective podcasts I have done in recent memory.

Thank you all so much for listening! Please consider leaving a follow and a five-star review.

At just 15 years old, Olympia High School’s Quenton Lanese has already built one of the most decorated age-group running résumés in American distance running history.

The Washington freshman has spent years rewriting record books. From holding the 12-year-old world record in the mile and two-mile to setting multiple national age-group records in the 1500m and 3000m, Quenton's talent has been evident from the start. But this spring, he reached another level.

At the Washington 4A State Championships, Lanese ran 4:04.59 for 1600 meters, breaking his own National Freshman Reco...

This solo episode is a raw and emotional.

I look back on my junior year, look ahead to my junior year, and reflect upon the death of NASCAR legend Kyle Busch.

Please consider leaving a follow and a five-star review.

At Niwot High School, winning has become part of the standard. But somehow, they’ve found a way to keep it fun.

Quinn Sullivan is a junior from Niwot, Colorado, and one of the top distance runners in the Class of 2027. He’s run 1:49 for 800m meters, 4:04 for 1600m, 8:41 for 3200m, and 14:34 for 5K cross country. Last fall, he placed 5th at Nike Cross Nationals, helping Niwot capture its second straight national title.

But this conversation goes way beyond the times.

What stood out most...

This week on the show is the ninth iteration of the solo podcast series of The Sunday Shakeout.

I hope you enjoy this episode of The Sunday Shakeout.

Please consider leaving a follow and a five-star review

This week on the show is the seventh iteration of the solo podcast series of The Sunday Shakeout.

I hope you enjoy this episode of The Sunday Shakeout.

Please consider leaving a follow and a five-star review.

This week on the show is the seventh iteration of the solo podcast series of The Sunday Shakeout.

STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES REGARDING THE SHOW.

I talk all about my spring break, visiting Texas colleges, my current training, and the idea of tragedy + time = comedy.

I hope you enjoy this episode of The Sunday Shakeout.

Please consider leaving a follow and a five-star review.

***SOLO SERIES EPISODE #6***

Today on the podcast is the sixth iteration of the solo show series.

I recorded this one from a rental car in Austin, Texas, and discuss my recent training and racing, why happiness is so hard for me, and the idea of being in a good mood for no reason at all.

I hope you enjoy this episode of The Sunday Shakeout.

Please consider leaving a follow and a five-star review.

This week on the show is the fifth iteration of the solo podcast series of The Sunday Shakeout.

I tell the second half of the story of my entire running career, from the beginning of my freshman year at Seattle Prep to now.

I hope you enjoy this episode!

Please consider leaving a follow and a five-star review.

This week on the podcast is the fourth iteration of the solo podcast series of The Sunday Shakeout.

I tell the story all the way back from the end of my 5th grade year, when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020, all the way to the end of 8th grade, improving my mile PR by over 2-minutes over that timespan.

STAY TUNED FOR PART 2 NEXT WEEK.

***SOLO SERIES EPISODE #3***

This week’s episode is the third iteration of the new solo podcast series.

I discuss an annual tradition at my high school, called Olympic Week, as well as role models, student government reelections, The Great Gatsby, and more.

Please consider leaving a follow and a five-star review.

***SOLO SERIES EPISODE #2***

This week’s episode is the second iteration of the new solo podcast series. I decided to film this as a video podcast for a fun twist.

I discuss a lot of topics completely unrelated to running, including my lifelong love for motorsports, my thoughts on regret vs. gratitude for past experiences, and my current projected path for college- and career-related decisions in the coming years.

I have a lot of things I want to share and hope you find value fr...

***SOLO SERIES EPISODE #1 ***

I announced on Instagram last week that the show is temporarily going on a hiatus from guest interviews.

My life has many competing priorities. Despite my obsession for this podcast and the joy I derive from having weekly conversations with the top high school athletes in our sport, podcasting is not my full-time job. I am a student, athlete, teammate, friend, and son, all before I am a podcaster.

Thank you all for understanding. I will be back with guest interviews...

First kilometer. Out in front. Everything clicking. Then the race turns, and the season suddenly feels different.

Malachi Schoenherr is a senior who’s built his career on patience, discipline, and trust in his process. Being a two-time Oregon State Champ, he’s been one of the most consistent front-runners in the Northwest for years. And this season tested that identity.

After finishing 2nd at the Oregon 6A State meet, he went into NXR Northwest as one of the clear favorites. He took control early and led through the first kilometer. Then the pace...

This is not a running episode. Not even close.

But something so important happened in my life that I had to make an episode about it.

I went on the Kairos retreat with ~90 of my classmates at Seattle Prep.

Kairos is one of those things where if you know... you know.

It was four days of stillness, honesty, and sitting with questions I usually outrun.

I opened up about struggles I tend to keep...

2026 barely started, and track and field has been turned upside down.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen is the best middle-distance runner in the world, and he just has surgery. Sam Ruthe is a 16-year-old from New Zealand who just ran faster than any teenager in history. One is trying to protect what he’s built. The other is just beginning to understand what he’s capable of.

Ingebrigtsen opened 2025 with a stretch that almost didn’t make sense. Indoor world records in the 1500m and the mile. Double gold at World Indoors. Then t...

In 2025, Hermiston High’s Leroy Lozano Mejia quietly became someone the Washington distance scene could no longer ignore.

The sophomore entered the fall as a sleeper and left it with authority. Built on patience and aerobic strength, he doesn’t chase attention. He shows up, does the work, and lets races speak for him.

After running 15:36 and finishing 11th at the 3A state meet as a freshman, Leroy took a clear step forward in his sophomore cross-country season. He won the Battle of the 509 Invitational in Spokane against a stro...

In 2025, Lafayette High School’s Xavier Richardson reached a season that had been years in the making.

The Lexington, Kentucky senior didn’t rise quickly or cleanly. His path was marked by races that fell apart, progress that stayed hidden, and belief that came late. By the time this year arrived, Richardson wasn’t chasing a breakout. He was waiting to see if patience would finally pay him back.

The results followed. During his junior track season in the spring of 2025, despite being known primarily as a 1600m and 3200m runn...

In 2025, Ballard High School’s Cassidy Armstrong turned a season nearly lost to injury into one of the strongest postseason runs in the country.

The Seattle senior, committed to Duke University, entered the fall coming off a hip stress fracture that erased her entire junior track season. Six weeks unable to walk. No running until August. No early-season races to test fitness or confidence.

Armstrong didn’t race until October 31st. She opened with a second-place finish at the SeaKing District Championships. Days later, she repeated the result at the...

Some athletes ease into the spotlight. Carter Smith ran straight toward it... faster than almost anyone his age.

The Mifflin County senior from Lewistown, Pennsylvania is still early in his distance-running journey, just three years into the sport, yet his natural ability has forced the running world to pay attention. An 800-mile talent with rare range and feel, Smith pairs raw speed with an instinct for racing that can’t be taught. He didn’t grow up doing this. He learned fast. And then he kept getting better.

The numb...

Wake up, baby. We're back with the doubleheader weekends.

A formal interview will be dropping later today... one of the biggest talents in high school in 2026.

This episode, however, has a different tone. I open up about my life outside of the sport of running as we enter the new year. I am as transparent and clear-cut as possible about my mental and emotional state after my junior cross-country season and how I am getting right with myself this new year.

This goes far...

Texas State Meet. The 3200 meters. One plan. One chance.
Rowan Saacke executed.

The Bridgeland High School senior from Cypress, Texas spent the past year learning how to stay steady when the stakes were highest. Patient in her approach. Grounded in her training. Oriented toward the team more than the spotlight.

Her junior year, the breakthrough came at the Texas state meet. Rowan controlled the 3200m from the start and won the Texas 6A state title. Later that day, she returned for the 1600m and finished 4th. Not a...

In South Dakota, distance running rarely comes with a spotlight.

Mikah Peters earned one anyway.

The Brandon Valley senior spent years quietly building belief, never assuming he’d be the best guy on his own team, let alone a national contender. Progress came slowly. Intentionally. Through seasons of patience and an offseason obsession with getting better.

In November, that belief finally crystallized. Peters won the SDHSAA Class AA State Championship in 14:54, breaking Simeon Birnbaum’s long-standing state meet record.

The season didn’t stop...

December doesn’t reward you right away.

No races.No crowds.

No proof that the work is doing anything at all.

In this solo episode, I walk through how I’m approaching winter training — not just the mileage, but the mindset behind it. Why winter is my favorite season. Why PRs are made long before spikes ever hit the track. And why patience, not excitement, is the real competitive advantage.

I break down my winter mileage plan, how I’m building gradually toward 5...