Profile: Michael Libruk
Shaker HS Class of 2012

Profile: Michael Libruk (September 2011)

When the name Mike Libruk is mentioned, one can't help but smile. Whether because of his consistency and success as a runner or because of his fun-loving personality, Mike always leaves an impression on those with whom he interacts. His interest in running started at a young age after hearing of his father's high school running success. He went on the win the North Colonie Elementary XC Race for three consecutive years beginning in 4th grade. Realizing his potential and passion for running, Mike is one of the few runners in Shaker history to have competed in every season of track and cross country on the high school team since the beginning of 7th grade. His impact can be seen simply by looking at the school record boards. He holds 7th grade Shaker Class Records for Long Jump (Indoor) along with the 1600M (Outdoor) and 3200M (Indoor and Outdoor) and also holds the 8th grade record in the 1600M (Outdoor) and 3200M for both Indoor and Outdoor Track. Mike earned his first Varsity letter as a member of the Cross Country team in 8th grade and has displayed steady improvement each year, leading to an outstanding Junior Year in 2010-2011 in which he also earned the 11th grade record in the 3200M (9:30).

Coming off a big Cross Country season in 2010, many eyes will be on Mike this year. He was named the MVP on last year’s Shaker Cross Country team that won the first NYS Championship in school history. Mike's consistent contributions to the team were an integral part of its overall success. He was the top Shaker runner at the Manhattan Invitational last year when the Shaker team won the Eastern States Championship. Earning Nike Regional 2nd Team Status with his 8th place finish at Regionals last fall, Mike also went on to finish within the top 50 runners in the country and as the top Shaker finisher in Oregon last December. He was also by named by ArmoryTrack to the 2nd Team NYS All Stars for his performance in last year's cross country season. Mike's name is near the top of all the Shaker XC Course Record lists and he hopes to improve upon these marks this season. His current positions in Shaker running history as he enters his Senior year include Shaker #2 All-Time at the Colonie Town Park, #3 AT at Saratoga State Park, #5 AT at Van Cortlandt Park, and #2 AT at Central Park in Schenectady. He also holds the Freshman #1 All-Time record for Shaker at the Colonie Town Park and #2 All-Time at Van Cortlandt Park. At the beginning of this season, Mike has been identified as one of New York’s top high school cross country runners for the 2011 season.

Mike is a member of the School Record Indoor Track 4XMile Relay and Outdoor Track 4X800M and Distance Medley Relays. Last year, he continued his success on the state level during Indoor and Outdoor Track, helping the 4X800M relay team to win two state titles. Last Spring, Mike opted to delay taking his NYS English regents examination until August in order to be a part of Shaker's 4X800M Relay at New Balance Outdoor Nationals. It was a decision that ultimately paid off, as the team ran a blazing 7:35 in a new school record, just missing the NYS Record in that event. That performance, including his 1:54 split, earned Mike his second All-American designation. Mike is always devoted and dedicated to the success of the team and his leadership and teamwork is evident off the track as well. Always encouraging and supportive to younger runners and teammates, Mike has earned respect from his team and the other runners across Section 2. Friendly and outgoing with other runners, Mike sometimes hosts dances for runners in the area and can be seen congratulating and talking to friends from other teams after a race. Off the track, Mike also has made a mark in the Shaker community. A scholar athlete recipient every year since 7th grade and a member of the National Honor Society, Mike balances his athletics, academics, and social life.

As he enters his Senior Year of High School, Mike has already established himself as a powerful runner on both the local and national levels and is hoping to achieve even greater things in the months to come. He is ranked individually among the top 35 high school cross country runners in the nation by XCNation.com and is an important leader on the nationally ranked Shaker team. Mike has performed especially well in big races over the years and has started off the 2011 Cross Country Season with personal victories at the Niskayuna Ekiden, Springstead Invitational, and Vernon-Verona-Sherill Invite. His talent, experience, determination and work ethic is a combination rarely matched. Shakerrunnng.com recently interviewed Mike Libruk to learn more about him as he begins another successful year.

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Shakerrunning.com Interview with Mike Libruk:

Shakerrunning (SR): How and when did you get involved in running?
Mike Libruk (ML): I first got involved with running in 4th grade. I ran in a race at Latham Ridge that was 2/3 of a mile long and also ran my first elementary school cross country race and was able to win both. I also competed in the Troy Turkey Trot and participated in USATF’s Junior Olympics for cross country and track. I found out at an early age that I like to race and compete. I also looked to my dad for inspiration as he was a great 2-miler in high school. I think that he was the spark that made me want to run like him.

SR: You are one of only two runners on the Shaker team that has been running all three seasons since 7th grade. What does it take to stay focused and committed to such a difficult sport for six years?
ML: It takes determination and the will to succeed. Some people look at the sport with the idea that they have to be mentally tough to endure the sport, but I believe its not just enough to endure, but you have to be determined to do your best. If you are just trying to get by, you will lose focus and commitment, which I learned during my freshman year. I realized that you cannot get by on talent only and that hard work to reach your goals is the only way to do big things.

SR: What is your favorite cross country course?
ML: My favorite cross country course is either Bowdoin State Park where the Federation meet is held or the Vernon-Verona-Sherill cross country course where this year’s NY State meet is going to be held.

SR: What would you consider your favorite racing distance in cross country or track?
ML: I honestly do not have a favorite racing distance. I like to compete in many different distances in track and cross country. No matter the race length or course, I try to set goals and succeed. Each distance or course has a unique set of challenges which favor a certain type of strategy, so I feel it is important to me as a runner to be well rounded and have strong times in as many events as possible.

SR: How do you prepare for a race?
ML: I make sure to get a ton of sleep and rest (which may sometimes annoy my parents), drink a lot of water and eat a lot of healthy food. I like a good pasta dinner to the point where I feel full for the next (race)day. That way, I will just need something small the next morning to hold me over. I try to visualize my race as well and mentally prepare for exactly what I have to do. I also set goals so I have something to aim for.

SR: Your name can be found on the School and Grade Record Boards for Track and you were named MVP on last year's XC Team, which was the most successful in Shaker sports history. What factors have contributed to your consistent success throughout your high school running career?
ML: I think I can owe a big portion of my success over these six years to my coaches, Coach Springstead, and Coach Stadtlander for their help and wisdom. Also, to my teammates who are the best teammates in the world. Everyone on the team pushes each other to improve and I am thankful that my teammates have become my best friends. My parents have given me amazing support over the past 6 years and travel to where ever I go to compete. They have helped me after I have had a bad race and encouraged me to do well. My parents have paid for my countless numbers of shoes over the past six years and my entire closet of running clothes and running shirts from the all the meets I’ve participated in over the years. I love my mom and dad and appreciate their help and support as they have helped me so much in becoming who I am today.

SR: What are some of your goals for cross country and track this year?
ML: I personally do not like to talk about my individual goals, but as a team I hope we can end my senior season with a bang and repeat as Suburban Council, Section 2, State, and Federation Champions! I also hope we can return to Nike Cross Nationals and compete for a National Championship!

SR: Do you consider yourself more of a cross country or track runner?
ML: I am not sure really yet. I think after I start training at the college level that will be determined.

SR: Your father was an outstanding runner in high school. How has he influenced your running?
ML: He was the one who got me into the sport and he has been a big motivator for me considering one of my major goals is to run faster than him in the high school 2-mile. He has helped me become the runner I am today through his knowledge of the sport and I am grateful that he is always there and available to me.

SR: Your younger sister also runs on the Girls Cross Country and Track teams. Please tell us what it is like in your house with two siblings competing in the same sports.
ML: Haha...it gets interesting. We are regularly on the same schedule and we can look to each other for advice. I think the fact that my sister runs, has played a part in how close we have become (though I think she may tell you differently).

SR: What is one of your most memorable moments in high school running?
ML: Probably the most memorable moment of my high school running so far has been the 4x800 meter relay at New Balance Outdoor nationals. That was the fastest field ever in high school history with two teams breaking the national record and just to be a part of it was special. The atmosphere of competing under the lights on that blue track, breaking our school record by 3 seconds, coming within a second of the NY state record and getting 4th and earning the All-American award will be something I will never forget. It was also my last time racing with Dave Marthy and Reuben Feinman, so there was something special about that whole day.

SR: You have mentioned the importance of both physical and mental conditioning in order to be successful. How do they both play a role in your training?
ML: Physically it is important to work hard in practice and in races, listening to your coach will help you reach your goals and do not be afraid to go the extra mile. The little things can make a big difference like post run stretching and core work along with proper rest and nutrition add to your success much more than some people realize. However, all the work in the world means nothing if you are not mentally conditioned to run well. If you are not in the right state of mind or if you are not truly motivated to reach your goals and do well, then you will not. I regularly see Maggie Ferrari who works with athletes for mental conditioning with great success. It is a practice that is regularly carried out by Olympic athletes who are looking for an extra edge on their competition so I encourage everyone to consider it.

SR: What advice would you give to a young runner who is just starting to run on a school team?
ML: I would say it is important to set goals and participate in the sport because you want to do well and succeed. If you truly have the will to be great, you will be great...it’s as simple as that! Dream big! Make smart decisions because only you can decide who you want to be.

SR: What are your plans for running in college?
ML: I plan on running and competing at the Division 1 level in college and my current intended major is engineering but I am not completely set on that yet. I’m also looking into business, applied sciences, PT, and exercise science with the hopes to be a coach myself at a university.

SR: How do you like to spend your time when you’re not involved in sports?
ML: I like to chill with my friends, go on adventures to foreign places, ride my bike, listen to music, and sleep.

SR: What are some of your favorite TV shows?
ML: Hmmm….I don’t really have a favorite show but just favorite channels. They include the Science Channel, History Channel, Discovery, ESPN, and FX. If I had to say one though, it would have to be History Channel’s hit new program Ancient Aliens.

SR: Do you have any odd talents or interests?
ML: I love techno/trance music and I have some odd dance moves that are pretty good if I do say so myself. Most of my signature moves are good, but often it is me making a fool of myself. From what I can tell, people enjoy them so I will continue to “busta move” at various locations including but not limited to: school dances, raves, rooftops, in cars, parking lots, malls, playgrounds, and the general public. I think to truly get an idea you have to witness them and I believe my friends would agree with that.

SR: In what kind of career do you see yourself working in 10 years?
ML: I can see myself in the field of engineering into the future, but I could also see myself as a physical therapist, personal trainer, or even a coach.

SR: What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
ML: Haha, I’m going to go slightly along with Jon Vallecorsa’s answer to this one and say I am Norwegian and Ukrainian. I bet you have never heard that combo before. I am big into eating healthy and general well being. I have a dog named Lily and she is beyond awesome, and in my younger days, I completed 40 straight hours of Wii Bowling with my friends for an unsuccessful attempt at a world record. I also used to be an avid roller blader back in the day and still have my ramp which I used for my tricks. I have an older brother who works for the U.S State Department as a diplomat in Burma.

SR: Any other comments you would like to share?
ML: Dream big and remember hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard!