NEW ORLEANS – Every year in NCAA Division I Cross Country, there are performances that catch everybody off-guard.
This past weekend, Virginia Tech’s Thomas Curtin delivered one of those races in the men’s seeded race at the Pre-National Invitational in Louisville, Kentucky.
Curtin, who is no stranger to winning on the oval, captured his first career cross country victory in style on Saturday. The Hokie senior covered the 8K course at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer Park in 23:18.2; a full four seconds ahead of two-time NCAA XC champ Edward Cheserek of Oregon.
Let it be known Curtin also beat every runner from top-ranked Colorado, the rest of the Ducks not named Cheserek and all of Georgetown's talented scoring lineup. Curtin's low stick helped Virginia Tech to a sixth-place team finish and a spot in the latest National Coaches' Poll (18th).
We caught up with Curtin on Wednesday and discussed his strategy going into the race, whether he's a track guy or cross country guy and his love of the "Wheel of Time" book series.
Podcast Breakdown
1:35-7:55 – Wisconsin adidas Invitational Recap
8:00-16:40 – Pre-National Invitational Recap
17:00-36:40 – Thomas Curtin Interview