In this second installment of What’s The Buzz, we reached out to James Cragin of the men’s cross country team to get his insight on the upcoming season. Cragin was the first Yellow Jacket to cross the line at the UF Mt. Dew Invitational. He went on to compete at the ACC Championships where he was the highest finisher for Georgia Tech.
What’s The Buzz: Looking back on 2020, describe the season and how you feel it went for you?
James Cragin: I feel like I speak for the entire men’s team when I say that last season was a bit of a disappointment. We had some decent races during the regular season, but post season did not go as well as we wanted. This season for us is an opportunity to prove how good we really can be.
WTB: What are you hoping to see accomplished in the 2021 season?
JG: As a team the men are looking to be the first squad in Georgia Tech’s history to qualify for NCAA’s. I know that we have the depth and talent to make it happen, but now it’s just about execution when it inevitably gets tough.
WTB: What aspects about cross country do you enjoy the most?
JG: I love that cross country is more of a team experience and requires everyone to be focused on a single thing. With cross all of us are racing the same distance and at the same time. Which is different than during track when everyone is training for different events. Cross also requires a different type of grit when you’re out on the course. It’s exciting that every course is different and may require different racing strategies or plans.
WTB: Can you describe what being a Yellow Jacket means to you?
JG: Being a Yellow Jacket to me means to constantly be reaching for greatness both athletically and academically. Georgia Tech is full of incredible people that are doing amazing things both in their sports and in the classroom. It is inspiring to watch and makes me very proud to call myself a Yellow Jacket.
WTB: Other than cross country or track and field, what is your favorite sport?
JG: I played baseball for about 9 years before I started running competitively, but the sport I enjoy watching and casually playing the most is basketball.
WTB: What is the best advice you have ever gotten from a coach or mentor that you think would benefit future cross country competitors?
JG: The best advice I’ve gotten is to slow down on easy days. It’s very simple advice but still took me a long time to get down. It’s tough for a lot of dedicated distance runners to truly slow down on easy days. However, taking your easy days truly easy leads to more recovered legs, better workouts, more confidence, and better races. It’s a simple thing that goes a long way, and it sounds backwards but to get faster sometimes you need to run slower.
WTB: What would you say is your fondest memory with cross country?
JG: I would say my fondest memory with cross country was my freshman year at Georgia Tech at the South Regional Cross Country Championship when I earned All-South Region honors. As well as the team placing 5th overall after setting a goal of being in the top 5.
WTB: Do you have any superstitions or rituals that you go through before meets?
JG: I don’t have any specific rituals, but I always need to drink some kind of caffeine prior to competition, or I don’t feel ready.
WTB: Who is your favorite athlete of all-time?
JG: My favorite athlete of all time is Kobe Bryant. The way he played with such confidence in himself, and his abilities was inspiring to watch.
WTB: What is your favorite place to visit in the world?
JG: Colorado has some of the coolest and most beautiful places I’ve ever been. Some people from the team went on a trip during July to train and we got to check out some incredible spots. The summit of Pikes Peak was my personal favorite, and I am already wanting to go back.
