Five Questions: Justin Janke

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

It's not easy following in the footsteps of legends, but at North Central that's what the next man up has to do. Kai Wilmot and Tanner Anderson won the NXN championship race in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

And Justin Janke, a senior, has moved into the spot as the No. 1 man on a team that has qualified for NXN seven years in a row. Janke has impressive credentials. His track PRs are 9:07 for 3,200 and 4:12 for 1,600. Perhaps more importantly, he has watched and studied the traits and characteristics of what it takes to be a champion because they've been right in front of his eyes. 

Here are five questions we asked Justin.

Question 1 – How does it feel to inherit that No. 1 spot at North Central given that the last two guys in that spot won at NXN?

Justin Janke: It’s really incredible and kind of crazy, almost nerve-racking. I grew up watching the team and all of the great runners in2008 and 2009 and followed them when they won nationals in 2008. I thought back then if I could be one of those guys it’d be so cool. I don’t know what to think of it yet. It’s incredible and honestly a blessing. There’s definitely some shoes to fill. A lot of times coach (Jon) Knight says each year’s team is different. But there’s definitely some expectations so we’ll see how all of that goes.”

Question 2 –What did you learn from being teammates with Kai Wilmot and Tanner Anderson?

Justin Janke: There’s a lot of things I’ve learned from them, just having them as leadership models. I got to (start) running with them Kai’s senior year and Tanner’s junior year. A lot of times I got really uptight at races and they’d be like ‘Chill. This is fun. We’re going to run hard.’ They were guys who were a lot more loose on the team but also some of the hardest workers on the team. I remember seing them up ahead working together. Tanner was not that far in front of me (last year) and I knew I was working out with the guy who turned out to be national champion. So they were very good role models.

Question 3 – The wildfires ablaze in Washington have been quite destructive and put a lot of smoke into the sky around Spokane. How has that affected training?

Justin Janke:  It’s been really hectic. Depending on the day it can be a great day and you wouldn’t know a thing is wrong, or the sky is yellow and you can smell smoke everywhere. It’s really strange. We started the season (a week ago) and depending on the air quality there were days we couldn’t run. So it’s been kind of on and off. We don’t really stop. We do lots of cross training. (Running in smoke) it’s hard to explain. You are breathing in ash and smoke and if feels like something is collecting in the back of your throat. There is a tightness in your chest. When you can’t breathe it makes running really difficult. You get side aches. Some kids were sick to their stomachs. The smoke has been clearing out, so having it be all gone, that’s the hope.

Question 4 – With the graduation of some really talented guys last June, how do you see the competition among the top guys in the state this fall?

Justin Janke: I think what we're going to see this year is a lot of growth. Tanner, Johnny (Dressel), Tristan (Peloquin) and lots and lots of seniors graduated and it kind of left the door open. I see myself and Jack (Yearian) at the top of the list. But I think there’s going to be a lot of growth from guys we don’t even know are out there yet. Isaac Barville from U-High is pretty good, Hayden Dressel from Mt. Spokane. I definitely think there are a couple of guys on our team that are not far from those guys, too.

Question 5 – North Central has a chance to win 10 straight WIAA Class 3A team championships this year and break Mead’s record. How are you and the guys feeling about that?

Justin Janke: I think it’s the thing we’re not all talking about, but we’re thinking ‘Wouldn’t this be cool!’ It’s definitely been the goal and it’s huge. It would make a statement about the program and the state of Washington in general. It would be finishing the mission of the first guys back in 2006 if we could finish that streak. Some alumni have said they’re going to go to state (to watch) and that winning the 10th one would be so cool. (Former Mead coach Pat Tyson) talked to us before and after state last year and was the first one to congratulate us when we tied the record with nine. He’s a great guy.