Profile: Jonathan Vallecorsa
Shaker HS Class of 2012

Profile: Jonathan Vallecorsa (September 2011)
Beneath his quiet exterior, a highly competitive fire burns inside Jon Vallecorsa. Maybe it started in the race to enter the world, when he was born two minutes before his twin sister Erica. It may not always be obvious, but if you watch Jon in a race, you can be sure he will give it all he has got to give... right to the finish line. The desire to compete and excel has helped him to reach levels of academics and athletics that are seldom achieved by the same person.

Like several of his Cross Country teammates, Jon concentrated on soccer when he was younger before he finally made the switch to Cross Country at the beginning of his sophomore year. Last year, he was a consistent contributor during the Cross Country season that led to the first New York State Championship in school history. Among his many individual accomplishments last year, he moved near the top on the all-time performances list at every course that the team runs regularly. Among all Shaker runners in the history of the school’s Cross Country program, Jon is #3 All-Time at the Grout Run in Schenectady’s Central Park, #4 All-Time at Colonie Town Park, #5 All-Time at Saratoga State Park and #7 All-Time at Van Cortlandt Park at the Manhattan Invitational...and he still has his senior year ahead of him. He earned a spot on the Third Team New York State All-Star Cross Country Team and was also named to the Suburban Council First Team All-Stars. His recognition for running includes awards for Indoor Track for which he was recognized as the Outstanding Freshman Distance Runner and the following year as the Outstanding Sophomore. His progress continued last year as Jon was named as the Most Improved for both Cross Country and Outdoor Track during his junior year. During Outdoor Track, he finished second in the 3200M at Sectionals with a time of 9:34 and also had a mile PR of 4:25 at the Eddy Meet in May.

Jon serves as Co-Chair of Shaker’s World of Difference Club and was inducted last spring into the National Honor Society. He has regularly finished in the top three of the team academically each season and was recognized as the Shaker Sophomore Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2010. He continues to carry a challenging course load into his Senior year that includes AP Biology, AP Calculus BC, AP Government and AP French. His outstanding academic record provides him with a wide range of college options to consider as he narrows his career choices and selects a college in the months ahead. Shakerrunning recently interviewed Jon as he begins his senior year...
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Shakerrunning.com Interview with Jon Vallecorsa:

Shakerrunning (SR): When did you first get involved in running?
Jon Vallecorsa (JV): I first started running in elementary school gym class for the bleep test and the track/xc races held from 4th grade to 6th grade while at Forts Ferry Elementary School. I went on to join Shaker’s outdoor track team in 7th grade and Indoor in 8th grade.

SR: You played soccer for several years. Please talk about the decision to make the switch to Cross Country at the beginning of your sophomore year.
JV: It was one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I don’t regret it for a second. The main reasons for switching to XC were that I broke 10 minutes in the 2 mile at the end of outdoor track freshmen year and Brian Hickey convinced me by August to run for the XC team. I still play soccer recreationally with friends, so it’s not so bad.

SR: How do you like to prepare before a meet?
JV: The night before a race I drink lots of water and I try to eat pasta/chicken parm, followed by a pomegranate (if they’re in season). On the day of a race, I don’t typically eat breakfast, other than a Special K bar about an hour before the gun goes off. I stay away from my cell phone and relax, focusing on the task at hand. I jog for about 10 minutes with my teammates and stretch, and then jog again if I feel I’m not fully warmed up. On the line, I do form drills and strides and then I’m ready to go.

SR: What is your favorite cross country course and why?
JV: I’d have to say SPAC & Bowdoin Park. I like SPAC because it’s where our sectional meet is held every year and I love the finish out of the woods. I like Bowdoin Park because its offers the challenge of hills at first, but when you’re halfway done the rest of the course is pretty much downhill.

SR: What do you consider your favorite track event and why?
JV: The 3200m because it’s the event that made me want to do cross country and I’ve always considered myself more of an XC guy than a track guy. I like to run farther distances, but I also enjoy the speed it takes to run well in the mile.

SR: What advice would you give to a young runner who is just starting to run on a school team?
JV: Persevere and work hard day in and day out, but know your body and don’t overwork yourself too early. Take advantage of opportunities given to you and everything will fall into place. Make sure you have fun with running because you only get this chance once. Never let a setback get you down.

SR: What has been the highlight of your running career up to this point?
JV: As an individual, breaking 10 minutes in the 3200m (9:58.5) at the end of freshmen year in outdoor track for the first time. I worked so hard that year to get that time and it signaled the end of soccer for me. As a team, the highlight was winning sectionals, states, and feds last year in XC. There’s nothing better than being the best with your teammates at your side.

SR: You were named as a 3rd Team New York State All Star after last season and have been ranked in the top group of NYS Class A runners going into this year. What does it take to perform at such a competitive level?
JV: I think it takes mental toughness, a positive attitude, and a good work ethic. You have to want to run, before you actually do. It helps to have such great teammates to train with and the knowledge that other guys across the state are working just as hard as you, pushes you to better yourself each day.

SR: You have done a great job staying healthy over the past few years. Is there anything in particular you do in order to avoid or prevent injury?
JV: Personally, I’m a proponent of stretching more after a race and making sure I cool down well after a meet. Just know how your body works. Everyone’s different; so I recommend you do whatever works for you.

SR: You helped your team to earn Shaker's first NYS Cross Country Championship and a trip to Nike Cross Nationals last year. How does it feel to be a part of the most successful team in Shaker history?
JV: Last year in XC was the best time of my life and I would give anything to do it again senior year. Not many teams get to win a state championship with their best friends and their teammates.

SR: Going into the season the Shaker Boys XC Team has been ranked #1 in NYS and in the top 10 in the nation in every preseason poll. How do you handle the pressure and expectations that come from such rankings?
JV: I try not to pay attention to the rankings very much because what matters is how our team actually performs in upcoming seasonal races.

SR: What are some of your goals for your senior year?
JV: As a team, I would like to do everything we did last year in XC, except be more competitive if we make it to NXN. Individually, I would like to improve my times on each XC course and the mile and 2 mile for track. Also, I want to be able to say that throughout XC and track that I gave it my all for my teammates and myself on the line.

SR: What are your plans to continue with competitive running after high school and where do you stand on your college decision?
JV: I intend to run in college at the Division 1 level and I plan to run recreationally for the rest of my life. I’m considering colleges where I can find the right balance for running and academics.

SR: How do you like to spend your time when not involved in running?
JV: Hanging out with friends & watching movies. I like to play soccer, golf, and ultimate Frisbee.

SR: You are one of the top students in the Shaker HS Class of 2012. How do you manage to balance your athletics and academics so well?
JV: It’s pretty much just time management and focusing on one thing at a time. I focus on school when I’m in school, on running when I’m at practice/meets, and I just get my homework done.

SR: You have a twin sister, Erica, who is also a three season varsity athlete. Can you talk about growing up with a sibling who is also an outstanding athlete?
JV: Haha, Erica and I were always competitive with each other as early as 4th grade with the bleep test and 6th grade with the mile and XC races. She won the girls elementary XC race twice and although we parted ways in sports (she plays soccer, basketball, & softball), I’ll always be 2 minutes older.

SR: What careers are you considering for the future?
JV: My favorite subjects in school are science and history. I plan to major in biology in college and possibly minor in history. As for careers, I’m not entirely sure yet.

SR: What is your favorite movie or TV show?
JV: Definitely LOST when it was on, but I like to watch the history channel and Modern Family is really funny. I’ve seen too many movies to decide, but I’d recommend the Shawshank Redemption or Happy Gilmore.

SR: If you could have dinner with one famous person, who would it be and why?
JV: Barack Obama because he went on vacation the week after I did to Martha’s Vineyard and I’ve been going there with my family every year since I was born. Or Zack Galifianakis because he’s hilarious.

SR: What is something about yourself that most people would be surprised to learn?
JV: I have a twin sister and we share a 2002 Chevy Malibu. I’m 50% Italian, 25% Ukrainian and 25% Austrian. I have a pet frog named Leonidas. I enjoy Nintendo games and Sonic the Hedgehog, partially because I had a great-grandfather named Luigi. I depend on pomegranates and nutella for survival. Finally, I wear a size 11 shoe and not a 10.5 because my big toes are huge.