Senior spotlight: Work ethic pays off for Marathon boys cross country runner Evan Pilgrim
MARATHON CITY - Evan Pilgrim is one of the more consistent runners on the Marathon boys cross country team, and not just in regards to the times he posts during the Raiders meets during the season.
"He's someone who comes in and works," Marathon coach E.J. Otto said earlier this week. "He is not someone who is going to come in and jog his way through practice and go through the motions. He is coming here to get ready for the next meet."
That work ethic has paid off for the Raiders senior, who has been a member of the varsity squad all four years. Last year, he moved up a spot as Marathon's No. 1 runner as Joe Kraimer was injured. He responded with some of the top times in his career including a 12th-pace finish overall in a WIAA Division 3 sectional meet last October.
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Pilgrim had emerged as one of the top runners for Marathon over the past few seasons and recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about his running, his numerous outside interests and a notable moment in his freshman year in cross country among other topics.
Do you have a nickname that your friends/teammates call you?
Not really. Usually, they just call me Pilgrim or something because it's a cool last name I guess.
Do you have any hidden talents or is there something that people might not know about you?
I do have a lot of hobbies. Me and my friends get together and we learn things and explore new avenues like kayaking, mountain biking and skateboard. I tried the guitar recently.
What has been your favorite?
Probably snowboarding. I don't have a winter sport so a lot of my time is spent on the hill.
What has been your most memorable sports moment?
Probably state track (last year). It's the only time I have been there and went as a (relay) team. It was an awesome experience. We were in the first heat (of the 3,200 meter) relay and we won that heat so it felt amazing.
What has been your most embarrassing sports moment?
Everyone makes fun of me because I false-started in a cross country race. I was the first one that my coach has seen do that. I was a freshman then and there was just a lot of nerves.
Do you have any rituals you have before a meet, or any superstitions?
Two days before (a meet) the team eats spaghetti together, and the night before we get together and just hang out.
Nothing like wearing the same socks for every race?
Some of us do, some of us don't. I usually don't.
The Marathon boys are one of the top-ranked teams in Division 3 so far this year. Talk about the potential of this group.
I don't think any of us have reached our (personal-best times) for the season yet. Everyone has room for improving and we are pushing ourselves. You can see it — every day we are getting faster and practices are getting easier. I think we have a lot of potential and some people might be saying, 'Oh (Marathon) is not that good, they're not that good,' but our team is finishing close together (in races) and we're getting better.
What is your dream vacation?
Some place tropical.
What is your dream career?
A pilot. I just think it would be fun to fly planes.
EVAN PILGRIM
School: Marathon
Favorite sport outside of running: I do love watching football, but my favorite to do is snowboarding.
Favorite college or pro athlete: Steve Prefontaine. I have watched the movies and documentaries on him and he was pretty amazing. He actually inspired me to run.
Favorite musical group or artist: Bruno Mars.
Favorite movie: James Bond. I have all 27 of (the films).
Favorite Bond movie: Casino Royale
Favorite Bond actor: Daniel Craig
Favorite meal: Pancakes. I eat them every morning from two days before race day to race day. They are my go-to and then I have them all the time anyway.