Ben Flanagan went into the 2018 NCAA Division I 10K finals ranked 23rd out of 24 participants. However, toeing the line, Ben knew that he had what it takes to capture the title. The Michigan senior, now a runner on the Reebok Boston Track Club, positioned himself perfectly throughout the race to be able to take first with only meters to go. 2aDays talked to Ben about his recruiting experience, his incredible NCAA victory, and more. Here's what you can learn from this NCAA champ.
2aDays: What was it about the University of Michigan that made you choose to join their team and train with Coach Sullivan?
Ben: For me, I was really interested in finding a University that highly prioritized athletics and academics. I was really impressed with how the University of Michigan supported the student-athlete lifestyle while maintaining a very down-to-earth culture on campus. As for the team, the athletes were all ambitious, collaborative, academically focused, and personable. Alex Gibby was coaching the team at the time, and his values and expectations of my role on the team aligned well with my own. Overall, I was confident that the University of Michigan was a great fit for me.
Related: Rate Coach Gibby
2aDays: What advice would you give to high school athletes who are looking to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level?
- Dream big.
- Do not be afraid to contact coaches first and be honest with them throughout the recruiting process.
- Trust yourself. At the end of the day, you know what is best for you.
- Most importantly, have fun with the recruiting process. It is an incredible opportunity, and you deserve to enjoy the experience.
2aDays: What was the most significant difficulty you faced transitioning from high school to the collegiate level?
Ben: Patience. Although I had good intentions and wanted to contribute to the team as quickly as possible, it led me to take on too much and overdo things. Progress can take time, so it can be essential to stay patient and trust the process. It can also be helpful to utilize the academic and athletic support resources while figuring out your new routine.
2aDays: 2aDays helps to educate high school athletes and their families on the recruiting process, their information comes from head coaches and real and raw experiences from current and former college athletes. Would you have used them as a resource when going through the recruiting process?
Ben: Absolutely. During my recruiting process, I reached out to student-athletes and coaches to gain as much information as possible. Having that information in a structured and accessible online platform would have been very helpful for me.
Related: Rate Coach Sullivan
2aDays: Going into the 10K final, you were ranked 23rd out of 24 runners. How did that affect your mentality going into the race, and the race itself?
Ben: Honestly, I did not know that stat until after the race. Based on my training, I knew what I was capable of doing, and confidence from my coach, family, and friends reassured that belief in myself. I knew I had nothing to lose, so my goal was just to give myself a chance to win the race. Fortunately, it all worked out!
2aDays: The first thing out of your mouth after being crowned the NCAA Division I champion was “Where's my mom?” What was going through your head at this moment?
Ben: I was in utter disbelief and total shock. My family was at the stadium, watching. I knew they felt the same way and truly understood what that accomplishment meant to me. I just wanted to share the moment with them as soon as possible.
Related: Rate the University of Michigan
2aDays: What was it like when you finally did find your mom and the rest of your family and were able to celebrate? How did you feel at that moment, and what was said?
Ben: It all happened so fast. I ran over to them during the traditional victory lap at Hayward Field. I hugged them, they told me how proud they were, and I told them I loved them. Then I bolted over to Coach Sullivan and thanked him for helping me achieve my dream. After the race, I called my sisters and their fiancés and then celebrated with family and friends.
2aDays: What was going through your mind coming down the final 100m when you took the lead to win by less than half a second?
Ben: I honestly could not believe the moment was real–it's all a blur. When my body was starting to tire and tighten up, I just reminded myself that this was the moment I've dreamed of, and I had to do everything I could to make the most of it. From that point on, I just did everything I could to get to the finish line.
2aDays: You PR-ed by almost a minute to win NCAA, what factors (mental or physical) played into that?
Ben: It was vital for me just to keep the context in perspective. I knew I ran a couple of really great races that season, that were not in optimal conditions to run fast. My training indicated that I was due for a huge PR, so I set no limitations on how fast I could go on the day.
Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits
2aDays: Throughout your career, you, unfortunately, dealt with a few injuries. How did this affect your training and your mentality, and what allowed you to persevere?
Ben: Recovering and working through injuries taught me some of the most valuable lessons throughout my career. Most of my injuries came from taking on too much or trying to make improvements too quickly. Now, I appreciate approaching training sustainably, focusing on long-term development, and consistency. Not only has this helped me run faster, but it also allows me to enjoy the process, have fun, and find progress and small victories out of every day.
2aDays: During your last season, you were in a very demanding graduate school program, how did you balance academics with running?
Ben: After four years of the student-athlete lifestyle, I developed an academic routine that worked for me. I would say what helped most with the graduate program was working with my coach to set up a flexible practice schedule. We would often communicate about when I would get my workouts in so that they worked around my academic schedule since it was more rigid than in the past. If I was feeling overloaded or run-down, I would communicate that honestly with my coach, and we would modify things accordingly.
2aDays: Do you have any pre-race rituals or favorite post-race meals?
Ben: My favorite ritual is that going into every race; my Grandma texts me saying, “Wings on your feet, Ben.” Other than that, I love to listen to some pump-up tunes and enjoy some coffee or espresso before my race. After the race is pizza time!
2aDays: What's the craziest thing that's ever happened to you while competing?
Ben: When I was at a cross-country meet in high school, during one of the races before mine, an athlete got struck by a deer that was leaping across the course. Fortunately, she was okay!
2aDays: You've recently joined the Reebok Boston Track Club, can you tell us what that's been like?
Ben: It has been an incredible experience. I enjoy working with Coach Fox, Coach Smith, and all of my teammates here. I've also enjoyed the professional lifestyle and have been very focused on recovering/sleeping a lot in between practice sessions. The athletes here are truly incredible, and it's been awesome, bringing the best out of each other every day.
2aDays: What do you miss the most about competing at the collegiate level and running for Michigan?
Ben: The people. My teammates became my best friends, and I really miss spending every day with them. I also loved working with Coach Sullivan, and we became great friends as well. I certainly miss seeing him on a daily basis.
A final word from Ben: To any athletes reading this, I hope you find this helpful, and I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors! If you have any questions about the recruiting process or athletics altogether, do not hesitate to contact me over social media.
Instagram @ben_flanagan
Twitter @bennyflanagan
Have a story idea or know an awesome athlete/coach we should interview? Email us at [email protected]
* Originally published on June 30, 2022, by Laura Papili
