Scott Mueller Interview – www.dcrunner.org
Many have become interestingly aware of the new freshman to hit the scenes in the WIAC this spring. For those of you who don’t know….you soon will. Scott Mueller, a true freshman at UW-LaCrosse has been having a huge breakthrough season after a mediocre cross country season which was followed by a hurnea operation that kept him from competing in indoors. However, movitation and drive are not qualities that Scott lacks, and it has shown in his 30:11 10k at Drake Relays, as well as his 14:32 5k at NCC. Scott will be competing in both the 5k and 10k at next weekend’s NCAA Div.III Outdoor Track Championships where we expect he will do some damage (especially if underestimated by the comptetition!)
Before your stellar 10k at Drake Relays, few people knew exactly who you were because you were shadowed by runners like Solinsky, Rumbough, and Gasper throughout high school. Could you tell us a little bit about your high school career and how it all got started for you?
- It’s quite simple. Both of my parents were/are accomplished runners and I was brought up constantly around running and runners; it’s basically a lifestyle amongst the Mueller’s.
Is there truth in the fact that you ran 70-80 miles per week in high school? What are you up to now?
- Closer to 70 miles at peak mileage in high school. Once in awhile I would get antsy and run 80. Right now I consider myself a high mileage runner (well into the 90’s).
Some predicted you as high as first going into state cross country your senior year, but you finished a disappointing 12th ? …..how did things unfold for you there?
- Not well. It’s in the past; I’m stronger now from the mistakes made in the past. [editors note: well stated]
Enough of that, lets talk the real deal college talk. First off, you were highly sought after coming out of HS by schools all over the Midwest, but your choice was LaCrosse. What was the draw to become an Eagle?
- The main reason I came to LaCrosse was to win. Out of the choices I had, LaCrosse was and is clearly the place to go to win big races and meets and improve the most. Also, like many other guys, I love running on trails. There’s nothing like a Sunday morning long run up the Bluff into Hixon forest.
Now in Cross you ran tough for a true freshman, even making a solid stand at regionals and nationals. What were your thoughts on your first cross country season racing at 8k?
- I was very disappointed with my cross-country season. I fell short of a few goals; we’ll leave it at that. However, I feel there were a lot of positives that came out of the season as well. I was lucky to have an experienced, motivated, and inspirational captain (Andy Gruppa) to look up to and to show me how things should be done. Moving up to an 8k is a blessing for me; the longer the better. I think I learned a lot last season and I will be able to make changes and have a better season next year.
Coming off the fall season, many felt you would be a dominating freshman indoors until a hernia took you out for the season. When did this begin occurring? How long were you out?
- I actually could feel something funky going on down there from about mid-season but ignored it thinking maybe it was just a strained or mildly pulled muscle. It didn’t cause too much damage until conference where it actually was quite painful. I knew that running at the regional and national meets were a lot more important than fixing a hernia that I knew I could run with. I was lucky to have a great surgeon get me in just 2 days after I called him during J-term. He did a great job on that sucker; it’s feelin’ great now. Remember Dr. Hardt if you’re ever in need of a hernia repair.
It has been rumored that you decided pain would not be a deterrent, and began training only 7 days after your operation. Stories have been told of the crazy kid biking countless hours into the night on a stationary bike facing a corner so that he would not be distracted. Care to elaborate on this?
- After the surgery I decided that I was going run outdoor track no matter what it took. I tried running 5 days after the surgery and that didn’t workout so well. So I waited 2 more days and got after it on the bike in the rec center. I knew I would have to really be serious riding in order to retain the most aerobic capacity as possible, so I tried to ride for 1 to 2 hours nightly. At first, the concentration was a little rough. You see the stationary bikes at the Rec center in LaX are facing the track and inevitably every night there were girls running around it. They were distracting me; I decided to lift the bike and turn it toward the wall. It worked. I could ride 2 hours staring straight at the wall with no music (Lance Armstrong inspired). I believe that those nights may have benefited my mental capacity just as much as my aerobic capacity.
So obviously you weren’t messing around, and got fit quick with the help of Stacy Sundet who provided you with much of his valuable insight. What kinds of workouts/ runs did you do to get back so quickly?
- Stacy Sundet is the reason for my success this season. Stacy basically did the thinking. He told me what to run and I did it. We did a ton of AT (aerobic threshold) workouts, a few less intense interval sessions and a lot of biking. It really helped me stay relaxed and confident to know I had someone who I had 100% trust in and who had 100% trust right back in me. There’s no way I’d be here without Stacy.[editors note: for those who don’t know, Stacy is a graduate of Luther College where he was the anchor on the indoor national championship DMR team in 2001…he was a great runner, but is proving to be an even better coach]
Many began to see your potential after your 14:51 5k at the Wartburg Invite, but no one anticipated what was yet to come at Drake Relays. Not only did you PR by what I’m guessing is several minutes, you auto’d for nationals, and defeated a very solid field including 2-time cross country champion, Josh Moen. How did this race play out for you? At what point did you say to yourself, “Hey, I can win this thing”?
- Drake was a trip. I knew I was fit and I knew I could mix it up with the field but I definitely did not expect a win. My plan was to get out there and ride the bus to a strong time. At 5k I knew I was a little slow so I had to go to work. I felt real good and slowly moved up. With about 3 laps to go I realized that I was gaining on the leaders. It was right there when I knew I had a shot at it. As soon as I got on Josh, I thought, “Well, no matter what happens it will be a good day and a good time.” With 300m left I decided I wanted the inner lane so I made the pass, found another gear and brought it home. There were angels tugging at my ankles that night.
Invitational 10,000-Meter Run Final
1 Scott Mueller Fr Wisc-La Crosse 30:11.65
2 Josh Moen Sr Wartburg 30:14.07
3 Malcolm Richards Sr St. Olaf 30:17.21
4 Tyler Sigl Fr Wisc-Platteville 30:18.88
5 Jeff Metzdorff Sr Hamline 30:19.30
6 Nick Boehlke Jr Wisc-Oshkosh 30:20.97
7 Eric Rasmussen Sr Nebraska 30:26.39
8 Andy Tremble So Lewis 30:29.00
9 Jason Flogel Sr Loras 30:29.85
10 Tyler Kelly So Kansas 30:29.87
11 Mike Putzke So Kansas 30:32.02
12 Michael Breshears So SW MO 30:36.73
13 Paul Koehler Sr Mo Southern 30:39.65
14 Nate Hoffman So Wisc La Crosse 30:44.57
Only a week after your 30:11 10k, you attempted a qualifying mark in the WIAC Conference 5k. [editors note: for those who missed it, the lead pack came through in a pedestrian 4:46 first mile before Scott began to throw down multiple 68/69’s to get back on pace… unfortunately he fell apart over the final 1000m to finish 2nd in 14:50.6]. I know that going into this race you were hoping for a fast pace which you did not get. What were your thoughts on how the race played out and your performance in general?
- I made a huge mistake for not evaluating the race, my legs, and the conditions earlier on. Obviously, I wasn’t happy with the performance. Boelke ran a smart race and undoubtedly deserved to win it that day.
In your opinion, what hurt worse….the 77 you ran for your 10th lap or the head bunt Dan Sutton gave you when you told him you were going to break his school record in the 5k?
- Dan Sutton’s head butt hurt much worse. He’s got a hard head. [editors note: from much experience, I would agree]
Are you going to try and get a 5k time in before nationals, or rest on the 10k qualifier?
- Yes, I’m going to try to get in the 5k. [editors note: Scott ran a 14:32 at the NCC meet which should be fast enough to get him in.]
Do you have any specific goals going into nats?
- Very big ones.
How about just for your future in general…what would you like to accomplish with you running?
- I would like to see what I could do in a marathon after college. I truly believe that the marathon will be my strongest running event. Time will tell.
I understand you will be running a few races/triathalons this upcoming summer…anything specific?
- I’m going to try out the triathlon. I really like riding and I like to run, the swim will be killer. It should be interesting. Road racing will be kept very minimal, if any.
In your opinion:
Is there anything specific about your training that you think separates you from the rest?
- I think everyone really has his or her own training types. I love to grind out long runs. Sunday 20 milers are by far my favorite run.
The thing I miss the most about LAX was Hixon….i ran that no less than four days a week, and my last semester it was up to 6 or 7 times per week. Do you have a preferable run in LAX?
- Anything in Hixon. I think it’s everyone’s favorite.
If you could offer one piece of advice to other freshman out there looking to make a decision about college and really hoping to make the jumps you have, what would it be?
- Make the decision before coming to the first practice on how fast or where you want to be. Think about that decision every morning when you wake up and before everything you do and ask yourself, “what do I need to do today to get closer to where I want to be?” Then do it! It’s that simple.
Whats the best advice you have ever received and who was it from?
- My Grandma once told me before a race to never forget about the Lord and his plans and the angels he sends down. She said to rely on him and everything will work out in the end.
Are there any runners that you admire or look up to?
- Both of my parents for installing in me to do everything 100% or don’t do it at all.
What are your interests outside of running?
- Like I said before I love to bike ride. It’s hard during season to ride a lot but during the summer I can get in a decent amount. I also love to waterski and hike but I’d say a nice hot cup of coffee and some good family and friend company on a nice summer day takes it all.
Rumor has it you’re holding nightly training sessions for the ladies (this is strictly running related). Any validity to these reports?
- haha…I’d have to hear your version of these stories but there is some truth to that. [editors note: I won’t elaborate, but lets just say scott’s running abilities are helping him do more than just run fast times on the track!]
Your 30:11 10k at Drake vs. KG’s 2nd place finish at Conference C.C……which Brookfield Central Alumn has the most dominating performance of the year thus far?
Kristy, no doubt. That race of hers was amazing along with her All-American national performance. Kristy is most definitely a person I look up to and find motivation in.
Who do you think is hotter Sara Bei or Beth Neal from Wartburg?
vs. 
- Beth Neal…no question.
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