For the eleventh edition of In the Bullpen with Raja Sandhu, Raja speaks with Will Moss, a junior and member of the boys cross country and track & field teams at Montverde Academy. Will shares his experience competing in a demanding and competitive environment, the discipline required to improve in track & field, and how the sport has shaped his mindset as a student-athlete. This interview highlights the focus, consistency, and determination needed to succeed both on the track and in the classroom.
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Raja: What events do you compete in, and which one do you enjoy the most?
Will: I compete in events ranging from the eight hundred meters to five thousand meters.
Raja: What originally got you interested in track and field?
Will: I was interested in track and field because my older brother was a decent runner and I wanted to do something productive with my life.
Raja: How do you stay motivated during long training sessions?
Will: I stay motivated during long training sessions by remembering what having nothing feels like, and that you need to give all you have because it's a privilege to be able to push your body to the limit every single day.
Raja: What is your pre-meet routine like?
Will: My pre-meet routine consists of staying off my legs as much as possible, visualizing my race and the outcome, and writing down thoughts in a journal. I also thank God and pray before my race either by myself or with other competitors because being able to compete is a gift from God and should never be taken for granted.
Raja: How do you handle the pressure of competing in races?
Will: I handle pressure in races by making sure my mental game is one hundred percent, and treating each race like any other run I have, allowing my mind to be relaxed and not waste energy on nerves.
Raja: What is one personal record or achievement you are proud of?
Will: One personal achievement I am proud of would be winning the 2A state championship in cross country last November. When I was twelve years old, I watched my brother compete at State and told myself I would win that race one day, especially because nobody believed I could be any type of elite athlete due to me not playing a sport at the time.
Raja: How do you push yourself during tough workouts?
Will: I push myself in tough workouts by accepting all the pain in the current moment and all the pain in my life, constantly reminding myself it can be worse and that it's all in my control.
Raja: What role does mental toughness play in your performance?
Will: Mental toughness is everything because without it you are intentionally limiting yourself. The mind always gives up before the body.
Raja: How do you recover after meets and intense practices?
Will: After meets, I like to drink three or four - sometimes five glasses of chocolate milk to replenish what I have lost competing and practicing. I attempt at getting eight to ten hours of sleep, but that is something I need to be more consistent with as recovery is the most beneficial aspect of training.
Raja: What is the most competitive meet you've participated in?
Will: The most competitive meet I have participated in would probably be the Florida State Relays thirty-two hundred meters, as there were many elite athletes and many fast times.
Raja: How do your teammates support and push you to improve?
Will: My teammate Torr Scelfo is a huge part of my success. Him and his family have welcomed me with open arms as a boarding student and always had my back. I want Torr to be a much better athlete than me, so setting an example and leaving a legacy for him is my ultimate goal. His hard work and determination even inspires me at his age, as he's able to push to levels I never was able to when I was a freshman. The MVA girls cross country team is like a family to me, and making them proud is a huge goal of mine. I never want to let any of my teammates down, so I hold that weight over my head every single day, especially when I feel like giving up, I remember who I do it for.
Raja: What is one goal you are currently working toward?
Will: One goal I am working toward is being able to run again. According to my doctor, I tore my right glute which has caused me lots of issues over the past month. I am working every day to try and recover and ultimately reach my goal of being the athlete I was pre-injury.
Raja: How do you stay disciplined with both school and track?
Will: I stay disciplined in school and track by envisioning my future. Running track is a huge part of me getting into a good college, and I want to get a good degree so I can get a good job and provide for my family in the future. That only comes with being disciplined in all aspects.
Raja: What is something people don't realize about being a track athlete?
Will: People don't realize the sacrifices of being a track athlete. Any athlete who steps foot on the track gives up the ability to live a regular life, as many sacrifices need to be made in order to be the best you can be.
Raja: What advice would you give to someone just starting track and field?
Will: I would recommend never giving up. When I first started, I wanted to quit because I wasn't any good. Over time, I just got better and better. The good thing about time is it never stops, so neither should you.
About Raja: Raja is a senior at Montverde Academy and is a member of its baseball team. Upon graduation, Raja will be attending Manhattanville University where he will study medicine and be a member of its baseball team.
