After taking down one school record, Carson High’s Sawyer Macy has his sights set on another, as well as a state title.
Photo by Carter Eckl.
It’s been less than two weeks since Carson High junior Sawyer Macy knocked off the school record in the 1,600 meters.
Macy put together a time of 4 minutes, 18.63 seconds, beating out the previous record set in the 2010 season by a few tenths.
What makes it more impressive is the Senator distance runner accomplished that feat while dealing with a patella injury in his knee.
“Considering I was injured during it, I had to take a few days easier, it felt really good. I was proud of my effort. I thought I executed really well,” Macy said.
ANOTHER RECORD ON THE RADAR
The 1,600 is not the only record Macy is chasing down.
He’s just about five seconds off the 1991 pace of Bob Ryser, who put together a 9:11.9 in the 3,200.
The current Senator ran a 9:15.71 at the Arcadia Invitational in early April.
Behind college recruitment, knocking off another school record is at the top of Macy’s checklist.
“In terms of my priorities during the season. The top is reaching out to colleges. The thing below that is records and below that is state,” said Macy. “That’s a thing I’ve been working for for a long time.”
In order to secure an individual state title, Macy will have to beat Reno’s Eric Ortega-Gammill, who won state titles in both events last spring.
Macy knows that will be a challenge, but isn’t bashful enough to acknowledge that on any given day the feat is possible.
“Eric is running pretty fast. We’ll see,” said Macy. “He’s definitely going to be tough. It all depends on the day. If he has a bad day I could definitely come out with a state title.”
The state meet last season serves as one of his motivations on the track.
When he’s competing, he’s not focused on mechanics.
And he’s driven by desire.
“What works for me is I try to think of something that makes me angry,” said Macy. “Whether that be an injury or thinking of a past race or thinking of what happened at state last year (Macy fell sick before the meet), I will just think of stuff like that. Like right here, right now I have to start moving.”
STUDYING DIETS, CHANGING HABITS
His methodical training extends through all hours of the day.
Macy said his preparation for big meets will begin the night before the competition, trying to intake as many carbs as he can.
The day of the meet, depending on what time he competes, he will have some carbohydrates and a banana.
“I’ll have pasta the night before to get as much carbs as possible. In the morning, it’ll be toast to try and get a little bit of carbs and then a banana to keep me full but not too full,” Macy said.
He picked up the habits from studying and researching professionals and how they prepared in the lead-up to their own competitions.
He’s adjusted his training regime to include more volume and harder miles as opposed to just running more miles.
RECORD PLAN
Running at elevation in Northern Nevada versus competing at sea level causes times to fluctuate greatly.
Assuming he’s healthy, he plans to take aim at the school’s 3,200 record after the state meet at the Nike Invitational from June 12 to 15.
“I’m five seconds away from that record. … I’m going to go for that there, if I can get this injury to go away,” said Macy.
It’s turned into a growing level of conviction for the Senator junior, who watched some of the school’s quickest runners compete while he was in his youth.
“I would watch those guys run and I’d be like, ‘Wow, that’s so fast; that could never be me,” Macy said. “Here I am later doing it. It means a lot to look at those guys and now I’m one of those guys.”