Weatherly junior cross country standout Scotty Zoscin won his first District 11 championship, capturing the Class A gold medal in 17:40.
- Age: 17
- Hometown: Weatherly
- Family: Father, Scott; mother, Kellye; brothers, David 30, Dylan 27; sister, Emily 19
- Sport: Cross country
- Other sports you play: Basketball, track and field
- Favorite teams: Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Cowboys
- Favorite athlete: Christian Laettner
- Favorite food: Grilled chicken
- Favorite color: Pink
- Hobbies: Listening to music; hanging out with friends; playing soccer
- Favorite pump-up song: “Millidelphia’’ by Meek Mill
- Best advice you ever received: Enjoy the gift of life. Stray strong and mindful.
Q: Has it sunk in yet that you’re a district champion?
A: Not really yet. It still feels surreal. Always getting so close and finally getting it, it’s just crazy knowing that I have it. I can’t wait for the future.
Q: What, if anything, did you do differently training-wise this year?
A: More quantity in the miles, just putting in a lot more miles. Right after track season in (May), I went straight to YouTube (and) looked up many videos from experienced runners. They all said, ‘Volume in the miles.’ I strictly went by that the whole summer long: high volume, consistency and not too many pushbacks, always looking forward.’
LINDSEY SHUEY / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Weatherly’s Scotty Zoscin runs in the boys’ Class A District 11 Cross Country Championship at DeSales University in Center Valley on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019.
Q: After experiencing the high of winning your first district gold medal, how do you come back to earth, so to speak, the get ready for the state meet?
A: Just stay focused. I’ve enjoyed winning it (the district title), having everyone come up to me and congratulating me. It’s a matter of staying in the right mindset, not doing anything (differently) and staying with the basics and doing what I did for districts: eat well, go to sleep early and stay focused on the task at hand and really get ready for state.
Q: How much does your sister help in that regard?
A: She does help a ton, knowing that I’ve gotta reach her district medal (total) of five, so there are definitely bragging rights there. That gives me determination to push even harder to get more than her.’
Q: Can you talk more about your bond with her?
A: She’s a great person. I love knowing that I can call her my sister (and) it’s great having her as my sister. We’re always playing basketball or doing whatever together. She motivates me to do better so much. I think she can say the same about me because I motivate her the same way. It’s great to have that connection.
Q: Were you always interested in running or did you start running to get in shape for basketball?
A: That’s exactly what it was. I didn’t even know that cross country was really a sport. I knew you could run, but I didn’t (know) it was a thing and then I started doing it. I seemed to have the itch for it right off the bat and I was pretty good at it, so I just stuck with it. The rest just came along.
Q: You’ve had a mentor in Scott Coll, the last Weatherly runner to win a district title. What does that relationship mean to you?
A: It means the world. … I love having older cross country runners, especially someone like Scott Coll, a district medalist, around and knowing that they care and they want me to succeed. They’re not there because they want to be in the spotlight. They want me to be the next Scott Coll or whomever. It’s great to have that kind of support.
Q: What are your future plans?
A: Just keep on improving. That’s what I always say with my teammates. Some of them may not be the greatest runners, but it’s always nice to see them improving. That’s all that matters to me, always keep on striving to stay focused on the task at hand (and) the rest will take care of itself.
