Catching up with Mike Tate

We featured Mike Tate, a Heatherton, N.S., track runner, as our Honour Roll athlete in 2013 before he started at Southern Utah University, where he now studies accounting. After two years of NCAA experience, he’s improved and become one of the top middle-distance runners in Canada.

We caught up with Tate now that his season is over to ask about how he’s spending the summer.

How did you think the year went, on and off the track?

Mike Tate: I was very pleased with my year. Off the track, I enjoyed all my classes and enjoyed living in Cedar City, [Utah]. On the track, it was just about as good as I could have hoped for. I PBed in everything from 1,500m to 5,000m. I came extremely close to some major milestones in the mile and 5,000m.

You had success with some personal bests and a 1,500m berth at your NCAA regional. Will you be racing this summer, and if so where can we expect to see you?

MT: I was very happy to qualify for the West Region in the 1,500m. I actually qualified in the 5000m as well, which was an added bonus.

I do not have a big schedule for the summer. After the Aileen Meagher NTL in Halifax, I decided to take some time off and refocus for cross-country. I do plan on racing a few local road races just to have something to look forward too, but nothing on the track.

Any other summer plans?

MT: Nothing major. This is going to be my first summer of competitive running where I’m not focusing on a major competition in late July or early August and do not have to travel anywhere. I plan on enjoying the summer at home with no major commitments and just put in mileage.

Have you gotten involved in any other activities around campus?

MT: I haven’t joined any clubs or anything because of time restraints with practice and racing, but I really enjoy going to all the sporting events on campus. One of my favourites is watching our women’s gymnastics team. They are one of the best teams in the NCAA and most of the school goes out to watch them compete. The atmosphere in there is incredible.

Have you set any goals for yourself going back to cross-country come fall?

MT: I want to do everything I can to help SUU return to NCAA nationals and finish higher than last year. I was pretty disappointed with my performance at NCAA last year, so I defiantly want to make it back and improve on that. I would also like to improve on my position from Canadian nationals.