Scott Mahon: Without limits

Scott Mahon is a sophomore on the SIU cross country team. Mahon, who is also a member of the track squad, finished eighth at the Saluki Fast Start Open Saturday. He recently took time to speak with Christopher Morrical of the Daily Egyptian.

Daily Egyptian: What got you started in cross country?

Scott Mahon: Started doing it back in grade school. I was pretty good at it, so I kept doing it. I don't really know. My dad ran too, so he got me into it when he was running on his own.

DE: How good will the cross country team be this year?

SM: I think if we do what we're capable of, we should get third. Third in conference or better. That's the minimum we will do.

DE: How do you prepare for a race?

SM: I get up and listen to some music. Eat some bread or some noodles or some carbs. I just come out here and run. Run my best, I guess.

DE: What things are going through your head when you are running?

SM: Nothing. It's blank. "This hurts." (laughs)

DE: Do you have any superstitions about running?

SM: Not really. Perhaps no junk food the night before a race. I don't run well after I've eaten some.

DE: What types of land do you prefer to run on?

SM: I like a few hills. I seems to hurt other runners. I also like to run on grass.

DE: Do you have a favorite moment from a race?

SM: In college? I ran the IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University at Indiana) 1500 with Doron Giat and Joe Zeibert. My time was like four minutes and I don't remember the exact time. It was a good race.

DE: You're from Effingham. Can you compare it to Carbondale?

SM: I like Effingham. Carbondale is better because of the people. Effingham would be great if it had a college.

DE: What is your favorite part about Carbondale?

SM: Probably the people and the coaches here. I like the coaches here. I like the coaches a lot. The running coach, the track coach. I have a lot of friends that go down to school here. Probably just the night life.

DE: Any places that you like to go to?

SM: WiseGuys. I like the $2.14 sub. Turkey.

DE: Do you have a sports idol?

SM: That's a tough one. I probably have to say Bob Kennedy. He's a runner. He used to run for Indiana University. I liked the type of guy he is.

DE: How do you like the school?

SM: It's pretty good. I like the professors. My classes are pretty good. I get pretty good grades. I like the atmosphere. I'm a country kid. I grew up in the country so it's out of the city a little bit.

DE: Thinking ahead to after graduation yet?

SM:I want to get into medical school. I have to finish my physician's assistant classes first.

DE: What is the last DVD you bought?

SM: Steve Prefontaine. "Without Limits."

DE: That's a running movie?

SM: Yep. I got it on VHS, but I got it on DVD a couple of days ago.

DE: What is the last CD you bought?

SM: Dave Matthews Band. "Busted Stuff." His new one. It's pretty good.

DE: Is there a certain song on there you like?

SM: "Where Are You Going?" It's pretty good. It's on the radio all the time.

DE: Favorite TV show?

SM: I have a lot of favorite TV shows. "X-Men."

DE: Do you like the comic book, too?

SM: Yeah, the comic book is pretty good, too.

DE: Do you have a favorite character?

SM: Wolverine.

DE: Favorite actor?

SM: I would say Jason Lee.

Reporter Christopher Morrical can be reached at cmorrical@dailyegyptian.com