Eagan junior Sidney Speir hopes last year, when he made his initial appearance in the Class 2A state meet, is an indication of things to come.

The best movie I've seen in the past year? "Fast Five."

Three songs I never skip on my iPod are ... "Under the Knife" by Rise Against; "False Pretense" by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus; "Everlong" by Foo Fighters.

Favorite meal before a meet? We have team pasta feeds before every meet, so pasta.

How did you get started in cross country? My mom was a good runner in college, so I thought I should try it.

How do you balance school and sports? I go to practice after school and go home to do my homework. I get home late from practice, so I don't always have time for TV when I get home.

At my first varsity practice, I felt ... excited and ready to run in the meets.

What did you work on in the offseason? I have been building endurance by doing long runs.

What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete? Getting to go to the state meet in cross country for my first time last year.

To get focused for a meet, I ... have meet prep the day before with the team, which includes visualization and goal-setting. I also listen to my favorite pump-up songs.

In 10 years, I hope I'm ... done with college.

What is the best sports advice you ever received? Run the miles in the summer and in return I will run great during the season.

RON HAGGSTROM