New Prague runner Dvorak has two big goals to chase

New Prague distance runner Josh Dvorak has been running competitively since the sixth grade, when the sport began to grow on him in the absence of a school soccer team. Now a senior, he has his sights set on two big goals before he runs his last race.

"I want to qualify for state in cross-country and track," said Dvorak, a captain for the cross-country team.

Trojans cross-country and track coach Nick Meyer believes his top runner is headed in the right direction.

"He has continued to improve steadily since first cracking the varsity team as a ninth-grader," Meyer said. "He is now the most experienced varsity athlete on the team, and among the best runners in school history."

Here is a closer look at Dvorak:

Q: The best movie I've seen in the past year?

A: "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."

A: Driven, chill and committed.

Q: Three songs I never skip on my iPod are …

A: ..."Wild Ones" by Flo Rida; "Club Can't Handle Me" by Flo Rida; and "I Gotta Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas.

Q: What are your three favorite apps?

A: Alarm Clock, Email, and YouTube.

A: There was no sixth-grade soccer team, so I went out for cross-country. It kind of rubbed off on me.

Q: What did you think of your first varsity practice?

A: I used to think 7 miles was insane. Now, it's an easy run.

Q: What did you work on most in the offseason?

A: Building up strength and speed through hundreds of miles.

A: I always have to eat spaghetti with tomato sauce.

Q: What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete?

A: Finishing third in the 1,600-meter run in the Class 2A, Section 2 track meet last spring. I could nearly taste the state meet.

Q: How do you balance school and sports during the year?

A: I get home from practice at 5 p.m., shower, eat, do homework and go to bed. Repeat.

A: Introduce indoor track as a high school sport here. I know other states have such programs.

Q: Name one sport that you wish you could play, and why?

A: Nordic skiing because it looks fun and they have sweet uniforms.

Q: Who is your favorite college or pro sports team, and why?

A: Brigham Young University. All of its sports teams are phenomenal.

A: I like to make different types of bread.

Q: In 10 years, I hope I'm …

A: … starting a career in business finance or marketing.

Q: What is the best sports advice you ever received?

A: "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."— Steve Prefontaine