Sept. 1, 2004
In three short years, Matt Gonzales has established himself as one of the top distance runners ever to compete at the University of New Mexico. Though he stands a mere 5-5, Gonzales has become known as one of the most dominant collegiate runners in the nation. A two-time All-American on the track in the 10,000 meters and a cross country All-America honoree as well, the Santa Fe native has carried the New Mexico flag at some of the nation’s premier meets.
Last spring, Gonzales earned All-America laurels for the second straight year at the NCAA Championships, eclipsed the 1986 UNM 5,000-meter record and won his first conference title in the same event. Gonzales followed up his regular season performance with a trip to the U.S. Olympic Trials in Sacramento, where he competed in the 5,000 once again as the 12th-seeded runner in the field of 24.
In the nationally televised preliminary race of the 5K, Gonzales used a late surge down the final straightaway to win his heat. He went on to finish sixth in the finals (tops among collegiate competitors), just missing a chance to represent the U.S. at the Athens Olympics.
This fall Gonzales will lead what could be one of the best men’s cross country teams in UNM history. Head coach Matt Henry’s men’s squad will feature six seniors, three all-conference performers, and one of the finest prep distance runners in the nation last year in freshman Shadrack Biwott. New Mexico opens the eagerly-anticipated season on Saturday, Sept. 11 at the UNM North Golf Course with its lone home meet, the burgeoning Lobo Invitational cross country meet.
UNM assistant director for media relations Alfredo Moreno recently sat down with Gonzales for a conversation on his experience at the Olympic Trials, his place in Lobo track history and his thoughts on the upcoming cross country campaign.
On the U.S. Olympic Trials experience:
First of all, have you seen the tape of your preliminary race at the trials and how cool was that to see yourself on national television, wearing the New Mexico cherry and silver, surging ahead to win that race?
|
“There’s nothing like running at home in New Mexico. Our crowd gives us so much support, it’s unbelievable. I wouldn’t rather race anywhere but here. The only place that I can compare it to in terms of the fan support was the Olympic trials.” -Matt Gonzales |
“Well, first we broke down the tape, sometimes in slow motion, and looked at it more with more of a technical view to see what I needed to work on. At the time I was still focused on reviewing my technique before the next race, but when I got back home and saw the video of the television coverage, that’s when it hit me.”
I know you ran at the USA Championships last year, but what was the energy and atmosphere like at the trials with all the athletes competing for a chance to represent the U.S. at the Olympics?
“It was a lot more intense. I mean, this only happens once every four years so everybody was out for blood – it was awesome. Northern California is a great distance running area and the crowd was loud all 13 minutes of our race – it was crazy.”
Take me through your thought process as you stepped to the line in your preliminary race at the trials and describe how that particular race evolved.
“It was really just like any other race. I was thinking about positioning, sticking with that lead pack and finishing in the top five in order to make the finals. All the focus was on making that top five and not letting that lead pack go. When we started down the final stretch, I was in third or fourth and was just going to be content with that, but when the inside lane opened up, I saw the opportunity to win it and took it. I figured I might as well guarantee my place in the finals.”
Now once you got to the finals race did your thought process change?
“It was kind of a weight off my shoulders. Now I knew I was in the finals and had a definite shot of making it on to the Olympic team. In our case, in order to have a shot to go to Athens, we had to win that race and do it under the A standard time. We were all really going for the win.”
How did your performance at the trials impact you overall as a runner? What did you learn from the experience?
“I learned a lot. I’ve raced against the pros before and its just a whole different ballgame than NCAA competition, especially in a trials atmosphere. This is definitely going to help me in future years, from NCAA Championships to 2008 and 20012 Olympic trials.”
A Lobo Legacy In The Making:
You’ve established yourself as one of the top distance runners ever to compete at UNM, a school that has a long and proud tradition of success in distance running events – do you ever sit back and reflect upon your place in school history?
“Definitely. My dad always said that sometimes you have to sit back and smell the roses a little bit. See what you’ve done and don’t let it pass you too quick. So I’ve thought about it a lot, but there’s still more work to do.”
Do you ever wish you had your speed and maybe 7-10 more inches of height? What challenges do you face when you run against taller runners, particularly in shorter races like the 1,500, and how do you overcome that?
“No, I’m content the way I am. I go into races and I notice a difference, but this is what I have to work with. There’s a lot of different kinds runners, but to me its all about being a competitor. Also, I’ve been working on critiquing my form for years and years and years – opening my gate, opening my stride. Right now, if you notice me race, I have the same stride as a guy who’s 6-1 or 6-2. I try to run as efficiently as possible.”
Do you ever get comments from other runners about your size? Are they surprised about what you can do?
“I get more reaction from the crowd. After races, I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people tell me `you know what, we were cheering for the little guy out there.'”
You’re a New Mexico native – how much does it mean to you to wear the UNM uniform, particularly when you compete at elite national meets such as the NCAA Championships, U.S. Open or Cardinal Invitational?
“I’m really proud of it. I couldn’t be more proud to wear my New Mexico gear. At first it was a shock to people to see New Mexico track represented at some of these meets, but I think I’ve helped put us on the map a little bit. People know who we are now.”
Talk a little about head coach Matt Henry – what has he meant to you on and off the track, and how do you feel about the New Mexican-based program he’s building here at UNM?
“The program he’s building is awesome. I can’t say enough about coach Henry. He’s a good man overall. On the track, we go out there and do what we need to do because he works so hard. Because he works so hard for us, we want to go work hard for him. Off the track, coach and I have a really good relationship. My dad really liked coach Henry and after he passed away coach and I had a lot of time to talk. Since then coach Henry has kind of taken care of me – making sure I graduate, making sure I’m doing things the right way.”
2004 Cross Country Season:
On paper, this men’s team looks like it could be one of the best in Lobo history – what do you think?
“This year, if we can keep everybody healthy its going to be an unbelievable season. It’s still a regular cross season though. We have to deal with everything – injuries, people getting sick, stuff like that. If we all stay healthy though, I think the sky is the limit.”
This fall Gonzales will lead what could be one of the best men’s cross country teams in UNM history. |
How excited are you and your teammates to see what your top-7 can do this fall? What are your personal and team goals for this year? Any extra sense of urgency with this being your final collegiate cross country season?
“Definitely. It’s a different atmosphere. Everybody’s working and its all we can talk about in practice – what we can do, where we can be, who we can beat, who is going to be our top competitors. Everybody seems to be a little more focused this year and for a lot of us this is our last year. We’ve been running together for years and this is our last chance to something special together. Our team goal is to make it to nationals, then that’ll take care if itself. The national meet is unpredictable. Anything can happen. Personally, I want to win the national championship. I should be a contender, so that’s a very real goal.”
You guys had a great start to the 2002 season and showed a lot of guts battling through a wave of injuries at the end of the year – how do you try to avoid the injury bug this season so that you’re healthy and at your best when the big races come up?
“I’ve learned a lot about training since then, so I don’t think its going to happen. As you’ve seen, since then I haven’t been hurt. I know the other guys have learned a lot about training and their bodies. We were still very young at that time and we wanted to do so much. I think we just overtrained ourselves. I think we’ve learned how to direct our energy.”
You guys have a highly touted newcomer coming aboard this year in Shadrack Biwott – is he the real deal?
“The kid can do anything. He’s unbelievable. As a runner, he’s awesome. He’s going to help this team tremendously. His attitude helps create a great atmosphere around the team.”
Coach Henry has turned the annual Lobo Invitational into one of the top cross country events in the region – how does the meet compare to other cross country races you’ve run in around the country and how much does the home crowd presence mean to you and your teammates?
“There’s nothing like running at home in New Mexico. Our crowd gives us so much support, it’s unbelievable. I wouldn’t rather race anywhere but here. The only place that I can compare it to in terms of the fan support was the Olympic trials. Our fans here support us so much. People want to come run here because of that.”
10 Final Questions
1. What’s your favorite event?
“5,000 meters. It’s the most comfortable for me. Not too long, not too short.”
2. Where’s your favorite place to run in Albuquerque?
“The trailhead at the top of Montgomery.”
3. If you could be a successful Division I athlete in another sport, what would it be?
“I’ve never thought about that. Something that takes endurance and really hard work.”
4. Who would you say is your favorite person to race against in the Mountain West Conference?
“Nathan Robison from BYU, in the 1,500. (laughing) He doesn’t ever come up to my race (the 5,000), but he’s an awesome guy and I love racing him.”
5. What would you say was your best athletic moment to date?
“Winning the 1,500 at the Midwest Regional (in 2003).”
6. What would you like to do professionally, aside from running?
“I’m thinking of doing some kind of social work to help kids. Maybe work in probation and parole to help kids stay out of trouble.”
7. What’s the toughest workout coach Henry has ever put you through?
“Four times 2,000 meters. That’s the hardest workout I’ve ever done.”
8. What’s your favorite place to eat in Albuquerque and what’s the best meal there?
“I’m going to have to say Nana’s Italian restaurant – I like the ravioli plate there.”
9. Would you rather run in very hot or very cold weather?
“Very hot. I hate cold weather. It’s awful, garbage.”
10. Think you can add the 1,500 and 10,000-meter school records to your resume next spring?
“That’s what we’re going to go for. I definitely want the 15 and 10. I’m only going to run the 10 once next track season, just for that purpose, to break the school record.”