Salute To Seniors: Tyler Adams (Mount Carmel Area)


Today we salute Tyler Adams of Mount Carmel Area.

Adams had a great career in the distance and mid-distance events. During his senior year, he qualified for both cross country states and outdoor track states. In the fall, Adams was apart of Mount Carmel's District 4 1A championship squad. That team placed ninth at states.

In the spring, Adams was apart of Mount Carmel's state qualifying team in the 4x800. He also qualified for states individually in the 800 meters, after running an open PR of 1:58.34 to finish fifth in the loaded District 4 field. He also closed out his career with PRs of 4:37 in the 1,600 meters on the track and 16:50 for 5,000 meters in XC. Adams answered some questions reflecting on his career for PennTrackXC below.

Throughout the end of June and through July we we be honoring our graduating seniors. To submit your own questionnaire to be posted on the front page of PennTrackXC, check out this page and email your responses to Dan Beck (daniel.beck@flosports.tv).


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What was your most memorable race/competition?
My most memorable race is a tie between my district 4x8 during my senior year. All year we have had our eyes set on another district 4 title and to break 8 min to break our school record and  qualify for NBN. We changed up the order and switched me from anchor to the 3rd leg so i could hand off as high as possible.I was feeling the best i've ever felt and knew it going to be my best race yet. So with 200 to go i made a huge move and passed one of our rivals (Danville) to take the lead and kept increasing the gap. I finished with a 1:56 high and we just missed the qualifying and the record, but it will always be remembered to me.

Where did you face your biggest competition?
I for sure faced my biggest competition at the Carlisle Stan Morgan invite my Jr year. That year was such a loaded field with runners such as Sam Affolder, Issac Kole and a good number of some AAA guys. as a AA runner i usually don't get the opportunity to race some of the experienced AAA guys, so when i do i know its a chance to run fast.



Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
My most outstanding accomplishment was breaking 2 minutes in the 800 for the first time during my JR year. I know others may say my district title, or our always accomplished 4x8, but all season all I could think about was breaking that barrier. i was stuck at 2 flat all season and wanted nothing more so when it finally happened, i was nothing short of ecstatic. So still  to this day, personally that will be my biggest accomplishment. 

If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
I wouldn't have waited till my JR year of track to actually start caring. I did track and XC my SO year just as something to do, but when I ran my first ever mile during my JR indoor season i ran a 4:55 and thought " hey i might be good at this". Ever since i found this hidden passion for this sport and regret not taking it seriously.

What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
My most difficult obstacle came last XC season when i had some major health issues due to really bad over training issues that led to me collapsing with a half mile to go (and multiple times after) in my district race in which i was looking to win. I placed 20th with a 19:08 and was told by my doctor that i was prohibited to run at the state meet. But i did anyway still with my high hopes of a medal.

What will you miss the most?
I will miss my team the most. i have become so close to all of them and they have become my best friends. I honestly am scared to have a team thats  not this one.

Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Enjoy the time with your team. Yes the PRs and the winning is fun, but the real memories are the personal ones and the bond you make in this sport.


How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?
My coach is the single only person other than myself, that I can thank for any of my success. My coach Chris Catton has taken my in his wing in ways nobody has ever done. He was the fuel to my passion for this sport. He has given me unbelievable amount of knowledge for running and the bond we have made was the reason i would wake up and do this everyday. there is a lot I can say about him but that would be too sappy. So again, thank you coach.

What are your post-high school plans? 
I will be Running at the Division 1 level at The University Of North Carolina at Greensboro. I will be studying marketing and business administration.

Any shoutouts?
Shout out to the OCMD boys ( @gathering_of_theb0ys) and Shout out to Krystof and Moser