Senior Spotlight: Isaac Pohlmeier - Ozark Catholic

I live in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and attend Ozark Catholic Academy in Springdale. I first started running in 4th grade when I joined a running club at my school where we would run for 40-45 minutes just around the school after school. I continued in this club until 6th grade when I joined my school's cross country team and have been in cross country ever since.

2) So far in your high school career, what is the most memorable running memory that you have?

Sophomore year at the state cross country meet, the night before I didn't feel so good and turned out I was running a 101 degree fever. I went to bed and woke up still running the 101 fever. Luckily we had the late race slot that day but by the time we were lining up at the start line I was still over 100. Throughout the entire 5k race I felt like I wanted to pass out and stop but ↑kept pushing through en route to my 2nd state title and first cross country title. As soon as I finished the race I needed help standing and was paler than paper. I found out the next day that I had the flu and couldn't get out of bed for the next 5 days until I ran at the Oklahoma vs Arkansas All Star Meet.

3) What has been the most difficult workout you've run during your running career?

Mine isn't really a workout but when I first started running consistently in high school I started doing long runs and my first two long runs ever were 14 and 18 miles. The 14 miler, I did was with no stops which was horrible because I had never run more than 6 at a time before. The 18 miler was for one of my teammate's 18th birthday and we only stopped once at the 9 mile mark for about 3 minutes to get water because it was pushing 90 degrees. Both of these were really hard for me because I hadn't gotten used to running that mileage quite yet and I was not wearing the right shoes for those either.

4) Who are some of your greatest competitors you have raced throughout your career?

I have run against a lot of people throughout cross country. Some I have gotten to know and become good friends with like Matthew Thurman, Tian Grant, & Troy Ferguson. My greatest competitor though is Nicholas Wheeler from Founders Classical Academy. We have known each other since our 7th-grade conference meet where we both blew out the rest of the field. We have continued to race and push each other every year at track and cross country meets as well as gotten to know each other too.

5) What were some of the most difficult obstacles that you have faced during your career?

The most difficult obstacle is being at a small school. OCA was a 1A school and we just moved up to 2A this year so it limits some things. We don't have a track to do workouts on or even a nice grass loop, just pavement around the school. Being at a small school also limits the level of competition that we face so I don't get many opportunities to get run against some of the bigger schools. Another obstacle is being a multi-sport athlete at my school. I play basketball for OCA and having to split practices sometimes gets in the way of me getting the proper training that I need.

6) What will you miss most about high school running?

I will miss my teammates the most. I have been running with them for 4 years and going separate ways and changing teammates will definitely be weird and different.

7) What advice would you give to a rising freshman competing in their first high school season in 2024/2025?

Give it your all. That's it. Workouts some days are going to suck, long runs will be miserable sometimes, you're not going to want to run some days, sometimes you're going to have to run by yourself and it is going to be boring, but staying persistent is important because it will help in the long run. Also, if you want to be good at running, prioritize summer running. I didn't start running every day until I was going into my junior year and I wish I had started earlier.

8) Who are some people you would like to thank for your success in high school?

I have to thank my coaches who have helped me through high school; Coach Schaefer, Coach Noah Billig, Coach Wendy Howerton, Coach T.J. Barnes, and Coach Quentin Lunsford. They made me do every workout, worked on my form, and cheered me on through 6 years of competitive running. Lastly, I need to thank my parents. From buying me all of the running shoes I need, carb loading me on Thursdays, to coming to every single meet they have been with me every step of the way during my career, they are the most important people in my life and have shown that every day.

9) XC or Track?

In the past, I would answer this without hesitation and say track. However, now as I have been through 4 years of high school I would now say cross country. The stress of only having to stress and warm-up for one race is really nice. I also love the family aspect of cross because everyone there does the same thing as you and it provides a common ground which makes it easier to meet new people and build lasting friendships.

10) Hobbies outside of running:

My family does a lot of camping and hiking and I love doing that. Going to National Parks like Glacier National Park in Montana or Zion in Utah are common vacations that we take in the summer months.

11) Favorite sports team:

Of course, I am an Arkansas Razorbacks fan when it comes to college sports. I am a big Chicago Cubs fan in pro baseball and a Cincinnati Bengals fan in pro football.

12) Who is your role model?

Probably my Uncle, Erik Pohlmeier. He helps me to be the best person that I could be and also challenges me in my running. He was the 1988 Arkansas 4A State Champion in the 800M, running 2 flat so I still have to beat that time of his too.

13) Favorite Movie:

Inception

14) Favorite Song/Artist/Music:

Favorite Song: Happy by NF

Favorite Artist: Connor Price

Favorite Music: Country

15) If you could have one super power, what would it be and why:

Super Speed. It would be so helpful to be able to get anywhere in such a little amount of time. It also would just be fun to have.