Profile: Craig Weiss

(5/4/09)-Early in his senior year at Shaker, Craig Weiss was selected as the Most Valuable Athlete on the Cross Country team while also being named one of the top scholar athletes for his performance in the classroom. As he nears the end of his high school running career, his accomplishments as an athlete are impressive. He holds the Shaker school records in the 3000M Steeplechase and as a member of the Indoor 4 x 1 mile relay team. He was a member of the Cross Country team with the fastest ever Shaker time at the Manhattan Invitational and also at the Section 2 Championships. He has the second fastest individual time ever run by a Shaker athlete at the Colonie Town Park and the third fastest time ever run by a Shaker athlete at Saratoga State Park. Craig has developed into a quiet leader who is ready to help and support others. He can be found after practice helping prepare a young runner for his first steeplechase or at the annual elementary mile run encouraging the young athletes competing in their first race. He recently decided to continue his studies and his running career at the University at Albany. Craig recently agreed to answer questions for shakerrunning.com.

Shakerrunning.com Interview with Senior Craig Weiss 5/4/09:

Shaker Running (SR): There are other Weiss names listed on the top Shaker runners on the Cross Country records page. How did your family influence your running?

Craig Weiss (CW): Yes, my family has always been active. If we were not running, then we would be doing some other type of activity, like soccer or Frisbee.

SR: Who is the best runner in your family?

CW: In high school my oldest brother Todd was a good runner, but I have been able to beat his times. However, Todd and my brother Keith can claim that they have run two marathons, something I have never done.

SR: Like many other running stars you started out in another sport (soccer) before making the switch to running. Can you talk about your decision?

CW: That was one of the hardest decisions that I had to make. I love soccer and still do, but I knew that I had a much better chance of excelling at running, and soccer fell to the side.

SR: What is your favorite track or cross country course and why?

CW: My favorite cross country course would have to be the Federation course at Bowdoin Park. It has a little of everything, hills, flats, and it is challenging.

SR: What has been the highlight of your running career to this point?

CW: My highlight up to this point would be this year’s Indoor season. Winning Suburban’s and Sectionals was a big thing for me and for the whole team.

SR: What do you consider your favorite racing distance and why?

CW: My favorite distance would have to be the 3200m; it is the perfect balance of speed and distance.

SR: You hold the Shaker school record for the 3000M Steeplechase. How do you approach a Steeple competition compared to other distance races?

CW: No differently. For each race no matter the distance, you need to be mentally and physically prepared.

SR: What advice would you give to a young runner who is just starting to run on a school team?

CW: Do your summer running and work hard during the season.

SR: Where will you be attending college next year and what are your plans to continue with competitive running?

CW: I will be attending SUNY Albany, and plan on competing for them as well. I will be running with some of my former Shaker teammates and other runners from Section 2.

SR: What do you see yourself doing as a career in ten years?

CW: I would like to be involved in computer science, but I'm not yet sure in what area.

SR: Outside of cross country and track, in which sport do you most enjoy participating?

CW: Like my other family members I do enjoy playing soccer (in the off season) and Frisbee. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be considered a Weiss.

SR: What is something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn?

CW: When I’m not at school or running, then I am often playing Xbox in my room. Call of Duty 4 is my favorite game. I can't wait for Modern Warfare 2 to come out.

SR: Any other comments you would like to share?

CW: I wish everyone the best of luck over the next few years and hope to make it to as many of the meets that I can.