Many of you know Matt Cowhey, he is a senior at OCHS and is on the cross country and indoor/outdoor track teams. He was relatively unknown on the South Jersey and State level, until this fall when he began running head turning performances. He was undefeated during cross country in dual meets, won the County Championship, and now holds the school record for the cross country course with a time of 15:59. During indoors, he was an MOC qualfier in the 3200 meters and he now holds the school record for that event as well with a time of 9:49. Matt took some time from his busy school and training schedule to answer a few questions.
OCXC.org - How did you begin running?
Matt Cowhey - I watched Michael Johnson in the 1996 olympic games in Atlanta. I wanted to run sprints so i ran the 200 and 400 at the ocean city fun runs.
OCXC.org - When did you start running longer distance's?
Matt Cowhey - I joined cross-country in 7th grade, and it was far more befitting. I learned my talents were predicated not in my ability to run 200s or 400s, but to churn out a lot of solid miles.
OCXC.org - Last fall during cross country, you really emerged as one of the top runners in South Jersey. What changed from 2004 to 2005?
Matt Cowhey - I changed mainly emotionally, and physically. My junior year was a disapointment for me, and a sense of urgency came over me my senior year to run fast. The entirety of my junior year was spent worrying, or depressed, over the summer of 2005 I learned to relax and train hard.
OCXC.org - What are some of your favorite workouts?
Matt Cowhey - I love running 200's and 400's, as well as latter's as my simplistic workouts. My overall favorites are 800's, and 1000's.
OCXC.org - You obviously ran an excellant race against Bridgeton for the league team title during cross country. Tell us about the race and how things went.
Matt Cowhey - This was an important race for me and I wanted to make sure that I won. Jamar Mack of Bridgeton caught up to me 2 miles in, and fought me until the track. I knew that, that day no one was going to beat me from 400 meters out, so I gave it everything I had and won. It's one of my favorite memories.
OCXC.org - What can we expect from Matt Cowhey this outdoor season?
Matt Cowhey - Different hair styles, dangerous clothing choices, and I'm seriously considering changing my name to something like Metal....or Fransisco. As far as running goes, my goal times are to get under 2 minutes for the 800, run under 4:25 for 1600, and run in the 9:30s for the 3200. I also want to make it to the Meet of Champions and run my best race possible there.
OCXC.org - The OCHS student body saw a glimpse of Matt Cowhey on "The Morning Wave", you stated that you were fairly superstitious, what did you mean by this?
Matt Cowhey - What I said was taken wildly out of context. I was making an inside joke that Fennekohl and I know about US runner Bolota Asmerom. Asmeron joked about how other runners are superstitious and how he finds it stupid, and dismisses it. The Morning Wave is a corrupt organization and will be brought down eventually.
OCXC.org - What's the most beastly thing you've ever done?\
Matt Cowhey - The most beastly thing I've ever done...I would have to say it was looking at Birchmier without his shirt on for over 3 seconds. Just Kidding. In all honesty, it was my race at states this year in cross country. I had a pitiful performance, but I at least ran despite being sick.
OCXC.org - One final question, the question everyone wants to know, is Matt Cowhey single?
Matt Cowhey - Haha...I am single right now.
