Kai Wilmot (Jr., North Central, WA) is having one heck of a season. After a strong sophomore track season, which saw him run 8:57.66 for 3,200m, Wilmot has stepped up his running to another level this fall, winning the Bob Firman Invitational (ID) over in-state rival and fellow junior Joe Hardy, while guiding his North Central squad to a top three ranking in most major polls. 

We had a chance to catch up with Wilmot recently, where he touched on his rivalry with Hardy, what it's like to be part of such a successful program and he even quoted Once A Runner.

Scott Bush (SB): You've had a great start to your season with some tough duals with Joe Hardy at the Bob Firman Invitational where you finished runner-up to Hardy and came out on top this last weekend at the Richland Invitational. How happy are you with your season thus far?

Kai Wilmot (KW): I would say that up to this point, I am quite pleased with how my season  is going. It's great to have the opportunity to line up with such solid competition on a regular basis, and try to give quality runners, such as Joe, my best shot.

SB: Your battles with Joe Hardy have been fun to follow. What's it like having a rival of sorts to compete against?

KW: It's a real blessing to have Joe to compete against because without him I wouldn't push myself as hard. If I didn't know that he was 300 miles away training to give me the best race he can, I would have no need to do everything I can to give him the best race I can.

SB: You've taken a big step up in performance this fall, establishing yourself as one of the better runners in the country. What do you attribute your jump in fitness to?

KW: When training, I keep in mind that: "The only secret is wearing off the molecules on the bottom of your shoes one by one."   - Once a Runner

SB: It’s a long season, but you and your team are poised to compete for a very high placing should you make NXN. What are your expectations for yourself this fall and what are the expectations for the team?

KW: The expectations I have for myself and the expectations for the team are simply to give it our best effort when we go to the late season meets, and if we reach our goals that would be great, and if we don't, I want us to be able to go home knowing that there was nothing more we could've done.

SB: North Central has had some tremendous success over the past few years. What's it been like being part of such a growing legacy?

KW: Being a part of this team and it's success is incredible. As a freshman, you learn from your older teammates, the values of working hard, and you just sort of come to expect yourself to step up when the older guys graduate, and before you know it, your racing at the same level as the guys before you were. Runners make runners. 

SB: Living in Spokane, you've been surrounded by great runners for years and years. How has that influenced you as a runner, especially early on in your high school career?

KW: Before high school, I never really understood how many good runners there are in Spokane because I was so focused on soccer. However, as a freshman, when I really got into running, the fact that there has been such a number of quality runners in Spokane throughout the years helped me to understand that it is possible to find success on the national scene because plenty of runners from this area have already done so. It's pretty inspirational to know that a runner so talented as Gerry Lindgren has come from Spokane because as a high school student he spent his days running around in the same general area that many Spokane kids do today.

SB: Outside of running, what are you interested in?

KW: Outside of running, I like to spend time outdoors. Hiking, camping, rafting, kayaking, snow sports, etc.

Fast Four (four quick questions, four quick responses)

SB: Favorite movie?

KW: Happy Gilmore

SB: Car you drive?

KW: 1998 Audi A6 wagon

SB: Favorite food?

KW: Pretty much any type of pasta

SB: Shoes you train in?

KW: Tends to change fairly frequently