Profile: RJ Sniffen

1/22/08-Senior R.J. Sniffen is in the middle of his final year as a Shaker runner. During his scholastic career, he has earned a reputation as one of the most outstanding runners in school history. As an 8th grader, he was a member of the Championship Freshman Cross Country team at the Manhattan Invitational in 2003. The next year, he completed the Freshman XC course at Colonie Town Park in the fastest time (7:51) ever run by a Shaker freshman. As part of the Shaker XC team that won the Championship at the Manhattan Invitational in 2006, he ran the 2nd fastest time (12:46) ever by a Shaker runner at Van Cortlandt Park. He completed the SPAC course at the 2007 Sectional meet in the 2nd fastest time (15:25) ever by a Shaker runner over that course. In early 2007, he was part of the Distance Medley Relay that set a new Shaker Indoor school record. He recently completed the mile at the New Balance Games in NYC in a near school Indoor record time of 4:20:86 (See video below interview). His easy smile and strong work ethic have made him a popular team leader. R.J. recently answered questions for Shakerrunning.com about himself and his running.

Shakerrunning.com Interview with Senior RJ Sniffen 1/22/08:

Shakerrunning (SR): How did you first get involved in running?

RJ: I first became interested in running when I was running in the elementary school mile runs at the Colonie Town Park. I placed third the first two years and won my sixth grade race which opened my sights to running in high school.

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

RJ: My favorite place to compete would have to be at the outdoor track at the Penn Relays at UPENN. This would have to be because of the intense feeling I had stepping up to the line for the 4x800m relay. Also, because I finally broke 2 minutes!

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

RJ: I would have to say my best race would have to be the mile, mostly because I have recently run most of my best times in the mile this year.

SR: How do you prepare before a meet?

RJ: When I prepare for a meet, whether it be XC or track, I first warm up for one mile. Then I have a routine of stretches. After each set of stretches, I roll my legs with the stick and do that two times. Depending upon if I warmed up too early or not, I may go on another run. Then about ten minutes before the race, I do my drills and then it’s off to the starting line.

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

RJ: To this point its hard to say. I am very happy with my past XC season and many PRs, and I am also happy with my indoor season so far, especially with my mile times.

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

RJ: The major advice I would give to the younger runners is to believe in yourself. You are young and have so much potential. Your first year, you may not be the fastest or the strongest on the team, but if you continue with your training and eat right and do the little extra work, I can assure you that you will have no limit.

SR: What are your plans to continue with competitive running after High School?

RJ: I am sure to continue to run after High School at one of the colleges to which I have applied, although which one is not certain at this time.

SR: footnote [Only a few weeks after this interview, RJ signed a letter of intent to attend UAlbany later this year.]

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

RJ: Either a teacher or Accountant. I know... very exciting.

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

RJ: Well for runners and especially me, we have a hard time with the hand eye coordination so many sports are eliminated. Probably my favorite sport to play on my own time would have to be dodgeball, even though I may sometimes throw the ball in the opposite direction of where I want it to go.

SR: If you could have dinner with a famous person, who would it be and why?

RJ: Steve Prefontaine! Mostly because he was one of the greatest and amazing distance runners of all time. But I may have to give up that opportunity to have dinner with one of the most dedicated and most inspiring men I have ever met… and that is Coach Springstead!

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

RJ: I hate candy and all other kinds of sweets.

SR: Any other comments you would like to share?

RJ: Persevere!