Salute To Seniors: Collin Ebling (Pottsville)


Today we salute Collin Ebling of Pottsville Area.

Ebling closed out his great prep career on the highest of notes, winning the AAA state title in the 800 meters at Shippensburg. Ebling ran a personal best of 1:53.59 at states to pick up the win with a dramatic kick. That closed out a senior outdoor season that saw Ebling go undefeated in the event in finals.

During the indoor season, Ebling took seventh at states and then ran an indoor best of 1:54.54 to take 15th at New Balance Nationals Indoor. He showed off his versatility throughout his career, clocking a PR of 49.24 in the 400 meters and 4:23.52 in the 1,600 meters.

Ebling answered some questions for PennTrackXC, reflecting on his high school career.

Throughout the end of June and through July we we be honoring our graduating seniors. To submit your own questionnaire to be posted on the front page of PennTrackXC, check out this page and email your responses to Dan Beck (daniel.beck@flosports.tv).


----------------


What was your most memorable race/competition?

Both my indoor nationals and outdoor states races top all my 800 races I have competed in the past 3 years.  Indoor nationals had some of the best competition I have ever ran against and the 1:54.54 gave me great confidence for the outdoor season.  Outdoor states tops them all because my coaches and I finally put all the pieces together with training and seeing it pay off makes it worth everything. Celebrating the victory with my family, friends, coaches, and community made it a moment I will forever be grateful for.

Where did you face your biggest competition?

My toughest competition came at outdoor states in the 800 this year. Everyone in the final day had that gold medal on their mind and with both days being so hot everyone needed to keep their focus.  It was a very physical and strategic race and with all the experience I was given through this indoor season, it helped me make the best moves for positioning and let my training take care of everything else.

Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?

Definitely winning states because of all the memories and feelings I was given in just that race.  Crossing the line first, all I had on my mind was to celebrate with my mom.  Pointing to her and knowing she cannot be prouder made the entire experience unforgettable. Standing on the top of the podium and experiencing the crowd cheer still gives me chills every time I think about it.  Also, going 1-3 with my future teammate, Matt Busche, was such an awesome moment and sets us up great for our future training and races at Duquesne.

If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?

There isn't a lot I would change but if I had to it would be to not play baseball freshman year.  I had fun playing with all my friends but I should've went to the sport I was best at and benefitted me the most. I always wonder where I would be with an extra year of experience under my belt but my accomplishments the past three years are nothing to regret.


What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?

The passing of my mother in January my junior year changed the way I looked at track forever. She would always videotape every race she was at so I could see what I did wrong and if I needed to change anything with strategy.  To overcome her passing I trained even harder and wanted to do my best for her.  To help make me remember her I had "MOM" written on my left spike so every time I stepped to the line that would be the last thing I see before the gun would go off.



What will you miss the most?





All the friendships I have made along the way and seeing them at the league and district races.  Every race was fun running with them and pushing myself and others to PR made all the competition succeed later in the postseason.

Do you have any advice for younger athletes? 





LIFT.  The lifting I received from my coaches, Dan, Jeff, and Lord, mixed with my running let me feel stronger and more confident when it came to bigger races.  I feel lifting gives the body a rest from running and lets your body get stronger in a different way that is less stressful and prevents injuries from occurring.  With the experience I gained from lifting, I was able to incorporate Olympic lifts that made my performances become better and dropped my times drastically.  If you wish to continue your career at the collegiate level, I recommend starting a lifting program so you have a better understanding of it.

How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?

My coaches gave me the support that made me successful today.  Without their time they put in none of this would be possible.  All of my accomplishments are because of them and they all deserve a piece of my achievements.  They wanted what was best for me and did not push me towards any college during the recruiting process.

What are your post-high school plans? 

I will be attending Duquesne University to run cross country and track and plan on majoring in physical therapy.

Any shoutouts?

To my family for believing in me and supporting me throughout my entire journey; to my coaches who gave me the tools necessary to become who I am today, on and off the track; to my friends for coming to meets and the support they gave me through everything; to the other coaches in the Schuylkill League and District 11 for always having my back and for all the congratulations; to my community for all the congratulations and good lucks; and to my distance recruits at Duquesne, Sam Snodgrass, Matt O'Neill, and Matt Busche.