Seaforth cross country runner Jack Anstrom looking to build on runner-up finish at last year’s state meet

One of the top returning long-distance athletes in Chatham County this fall is Seaforth sophomore Jack Anstrom.

Competing in his second year for the Hawks, Anstrom opened his 2022 cross country campaign on a high note as Seaforth’s first home meet of the season on Aug. 30 against Chatham Central, Jordan-Matthews and North Moore.

Anstrom won the boys 5,000 meter race, finishing in a time of 18:06.13, over a minute faster than the runner who finished second place. As a team, Seaforth placed seven runners among the top eight and 10 among the top 12. The Hawks also won the girls race while competing against Jordan-Matthews, with sophomore Katherine Leonard taking first place with a time of 23:34.09.

Last season, Anstrom led the Seaforth boys to a second place finish at the 2A mideast regionals, finishing second in his respective race in a time of 16:23.86. The Hawks went on to finish eighth at the 2A state championship meet, though Anstrom was also the second individual runner to finish in that race.

Earlier this week, Anstrom spoke with the N+R about his terrific freshman season, his first race this fall and his expectations for the rest of 2022.

You competed in and won the first race of your sophomore season last week in a meet against Chatham Central, Jordan-Matthews and North Moore. How did you feel during the race and what did it feel like racing in a competitive setting again?

JACK ANSTROM: It was meant to be an easier effort than what it shaped out to be. We’re definitely working on preparation for the rest of the season. We’re going out to some big invitationals, are looking to win states and looking to qualify for some bigger meets down the road. It’s just a another step for us.

You had a strong season last fall. What are some of the things you worked on during the offseason to build on what you accomplished in 2021?

To continue to build I need to kind of square with myself what the season was last year. As a freshman in my first true season of competitive racing, I didn’t know anything. I’m taking what I know now from the experience of the trial and error, which kind of ended up being a lot of error. It still went well, but now I know where I can improve as far as racing, preparation, how I’m running in practices and workouts. I think with that knowledge, I can become such a better version of myself.

Your team is a bit unique in that it’s only your second year as a program, and last year you only had freshmen and sophomores on the team. What is it like knowing you have a group of athletes around you that you’re going to be able to grow with this season and beyond?

Our team is pretty tight. As a unit, we’re growing together. We’re not only running together, but we’re going to the same classes. We’re going through the same testing sessions and we’re learning things at the same time. It’s almost like putting two eggs in an incubator together. There’s some sort of unique bond.

The girls also had a successful season last fall, finishing third at the 2A mideast regionals. What is the rivalry like between the girls and boys team?

We have a good rivalry going. Our girls team is strong, particularly in 2A. We’re definitely working around just being young and not knowing very much. We have a great coaching staff who really values our development and values us as people. As we grow with the guidance we’re receiving, we’re going to become pretty good.

What would make this a successful season in your opinion?

As a team, a successful season, we’re really worried about states. If we can kind of hold something off at regionals and have the energy advantage at states — kind of relax our way through the regionals and get in — that’s a route we’re going to take 100% of the time. We’re going to work stronger together as a team. We want to do great at states.

Sports Editor Jeremy Vernon can be reached at jeremy@chathamnr.com or on Twitter at @jbo_vernon.