Mason Jett was one of the better cross country runners in the state – finishing off his high school career by placing 34th at the Division 1 State Finals at MIS in November with a PR time of 15:52.5.
Standing on the starting line of a race can be a mix of emotions, and every runner approaches the start with their own routine and approach. So, what is “running” through Jett’s head when he steps up to the starting line in a crowded field of talented runners?
“When I’m on the line there are no thoughts in my brain,” he says. “I’ve been running long enough to the point where I don’t get butterflies. I just walk up and run. I’ve got my little warm up that I do, all my superstitions and I just walk up and trust my fitness.”
Once he’s on the course, he starts thinking about strategy and passing.
“In the mile I like to get out a quick first and last lap and chill in the middle,” he says. “Things that affect the way I race can be a teammate’s position, a team I need to target, or a time I am targeting. Working with a teammate is a good way to get a good race out of both of the racers.”
He adds that it’s important to not really have a strategy going into a race.
“As mental as the sport is, you should let your body and fitness do the work,” he says. “If it’s a good day, or even if it isn’t, go out there, turn your brain off, and just run. Some of my best times have been windy, rainy, cold days, and that’s because instead of making excuses for myself before the race starts, or worrying about the result, I just go out and do what I do.”
What he does has worked out quite well.
Jett’s impressive highlight reel includes his first sub 5 mile at 4:46; a 59 second PR in the 5k to break 17 for the first time; placing 15th in the nation with his teammates in the 4xMile; and All State in 4×800 outdoor season.
He also enjoyed the other stuff successful teams do. The list included capture the flag with his team every year, playing world cup (soccer) with teammates, going to Flagstaff with a teammate to run and “hang with our buddies Asher T. and Hobbs K., and lastly suffering together on our long 12-13 mile runs.”
“One thing I will miss is the people, and even more, the coaches,” he says. “I don’t think I would’ve continued running if it wasn’t for the amazing coaches we have at Skyline. They answer every question, help me out of every bad running day, always have advice (not always for running). Over the last four years, they have helped mold me into the person I am today, and I will always remember the time I spent at Skyline.”
His coaches also thought highly of him.
“Mason came back strong after an early season hamstring injury to help lead the team to state meet qualification after being ranked 8th in the region in early season polls,” said Skyline coach Mike Kessler. “He ran his PR of 15:52.5 at MIS for a 34th place finish, a time he matched at the Michigan Meet of Champions the following weekend. His patience in coming back from injury paid huge dividends.”
Mason, 17, is the son of Patrich and Kristyne Jett. He is a member of the Philosophy Club, Film Club and Outdoors Club and enjoys astronomy, European history and travel.
His first dive into sports was in the pool.
“Originally, I did competitive swimming, but during the off season I had nothing else to do,” he says. “My dad does trail running every week and loves the sport, and he kind of made me join the middle school team to give me something to do. As it turns out my swimming fitness carried over and I was instantly one of the better runners at the middle school.
“I kind of liked the social part of the sport. I had some friends that did the sport so I could run and talk to them and that kept me in it through middle school.”
Jett says he stays motivated to run by making it fun.
“I found during my third year at Skyline it was feeling more and more like a chore to run, so I started doing more fun runs, and games before and after practice with my teammates to make it more enjoyable,” he says. “We started doing fun days during the breaks in between seasons to keep people motivated, and get the team closer together, and that works really well. I find I have more friends that are on the team than any previous year, and I think that has to do with our coaches focus on bringing us together as well as making us better athletes. I also find that being close with the team makes it easier to grow as an individual and an athlete.”
Jett will continue his running and academic career at Kalamazoo College where he plans to study business management or accounting.
