Quotes by A.J. Ellison

“Cross country was something that started off as a punishment from my father for low grades. I guess he didnt realize it would take off so well. It gave me something to do with my free time and it taught me to be accountable.”

“The first day of practice I couldnt run four miles on my own. I ran two miles and then I had to walk two miles. I was going to quit. It was just pure running, I wasnt running with a ball. I didnt have anything to throw or shoot, it wasnt fun.”

“A lot of these long distance runners start out at junior high. They have just as good times but theyre also running 80 miles a week. So you see a lot of potential in someone who is running 20 miles a week. You see a lot of growing potential.”

“My junior year was a stepping stone to my senior season. That was my first full season running. I knew I was going to be better my senior year.”

“He won the two mile that year. That year he was the runner to beat in the state of Kansas. We were the only two that separated from the pack.”

“As soon as they announced it, I knew I broke the record. My goal at the time was Im going to win this race, the record was icing on the cake.”

“I am a little surprised. You have a lot of military kids coming in and out. It would be nice to see someone challenge it and have the same opportunities I had.”

“I had a little bit of anxiety. Being one of the top runners in Kansas and you get to Tulsa and everyone is a state champion somewhere. So not knowing whether or not Im going to be as successful was a big part of it.”

“Its just like with any other sport, if you want to get to that next level, you have to sacrifice a lot. You almost have to be selfish.”

“In the fall, I still ran cross country. In the winter you had indoor, in the spring you have track and in the summer I competed in Europe.”