Collier wins state championship, makes history
Senior Cameron Collier took home the Class 4A State Cross Country Championship, becoming Midtown’s first champion in 21 years. The school’s last state champion was Nick Stephens in 2004. The state final was a good day for Atlanta Public Schools as the district had the boys and girls champion, Collier and Maynard Jackson’s Grace Danser.
For Collier, the state championship wasn’t just another race but an accomplishment of a long-term goal through years of dedication and persistence.
“Winning state is something I’ve been working [towards] for such a long time,” Collier said. “Even since I started running when I was around 8 or 9 years old, it was something that I was looking forward to checking a box off on. The last person from Grady (Midtown’s former name) to do it was in [2004], and from then to my time now, no one has done it in cross country. So, being able to do that and having it be one of my first goals really means a lot.”
Collier’s private coach, Tim Goldsack from RunCCG, has been coaching Collier since the end of his freshman year. He has led Collier’s immense growth and coached him through earning his champion title.
“Coming off a great track season and knowing he is stronger at the longer distances, I wanted to translate that drive to the grass,” Goldsack said. “Outside of that, the only goal was for him to be himself. I expected Cam to run a smart race as he had every race of the season, and that he wanted to win more than anyone in the field, the outcome was up to him though.”
In Collier’s junior year, he was tripped and sustained a concussion during the state meet, limiting him from his full potential. This year, his adversity continued because even though he was sick the week approaching the meet, he persevered and competed anyway.
“I was really nervous most of the week because if there’s something in your system like allergies or sickness, your body just gets a little more run down,” Collier said. “Even on my warm-up, I knew it was going to be a harder day than it would’ve been had I been feeling 100%. But, I was also still confident that I could get the job done even on an off day.”
Despite Collier feeling unwell, Goldsack said that his mentality allowed him to remain focused.
“Cam was very prepared, it was all about capitalizing on his fitness with a good mindset and smart racing,” Goldsack said. “All season he has done a great job of staying calm, and trusting his gut when racing. This last week before state, Cam actually tried not to think about the race that much, and he did a good job amidst his allergies that started up on Tuesday, where the plan shifted to just win instead of taking reign of the race like before when we expected him to be healthy.”
Collier finished the race in 16:07.78, with the second-place competitor, Everett Sanders of Maynard Jackson, two seconds behind him.
“We were very relaxed for the first two miles; no one was going all out at all,” Collier said. “Being the favorite in the race, I made the first move at three kilometers, and mentally, I had to engage the most there because I was putting all my chips in, per se.”
Not only has Cameron’s influence on the school been shown through his wins this season, according to Seals, his compassion has left a mark just as much as his times.
“Cameron has set a standard, and I do believe a lot of these younger runners want to try to meet that standard,” Seals said. “He’s really influenced the team just by leading by example. He’s always open to any questions that his teammates have, and he’s just all around a nice guy. The kids look up to him, and he’s left a mark on the program.”
Having set the school record in both the mile and 3200 meters, and the APS record in cross country of 14:54:09 from the Alexander/Asics meet this season, Collier aims to continue his momentum during the track and field season with hopes of securing additional state titles.
“Winning state isn’t the end,” Collier said. “I have bigger goals that I want to accomplish in high school cross country still with two more races as well as in track, hopefully with more state championships and putting down some really fast times. I’m happy to get the first state title checked off but there’s always more that I want to achieve.”
“Cam has grown from an okay runner who was by no means fantastic as a freshman, to one of the most improved individuals in the country,” Goldsack said. “To see the progression and growth he has had is more like a coming-of-age story. His work ethic and principles have remained the same under me; it was all about seeing how far he could go with them.”
Collier announced his commitment to further his athletic and academic career at Villanova University on Oct. 18.
“Villanova is where I saw myself being happy, in addition to getting a great education and also giving myself the opportunity to excel really well in running,” Collier said.
