On Aug 16, Abraham Thacker, biology freshman, was signed as the newest addition to Loyola’s cross-country team. Home schooling had not allowed Thacker years of working with a team and coaching staff. Still, Andy Canegitta, cross-country coach, projected that Thacker would be one of Loyola’s top runners this year.

A native of Covington, Louisiana, Thacker said, “Running has always been an outlet for me. It’s also a way for me to connect with others, particularly here at Loyola.”

He said that during his high school years, competing with team-based runners was a challenge at first, but that after a while, he was able to adapt. Even when it came to adjusting to college, Thacker says he took to it very quickly.

Thacker begins practice at 6:30 a.m.

“Some days we’ll do speed work, which is short interval training where we’re training our legs to run faster for longer periods of time. Other times we’ll go for a longer, slower run,” he said.

In the afternoon, after a grueling practice, Thacker takes another run for his “personal enjoyment.”

“So far in my running career, I’ve been able to do it practically everyday.” Thacker also said he has never had an injury from running.

When it comes to eating a healthy diet, Thacker is an expert in terms of self-control. He admits to finding delights such as sugary sodas a temptation, but it’s nothing he can’t handle.

“I crave foods daily that I know I shouldn’t have, but I have to ask myself, as a runner, ‘Is this good for me?’ Most of the time, the answer is no,” Thacker said.

Before a short race, Thacker will typically eat half of a plain, whole-wheat bagel. If he is running a marathon that day, he will wake up a few hours early to eat a balanced breakfast, but he’s careful with his food selections.

“I look closely at ingredients. Things like high fructose corn syrup or partially hydrogenated oils of any kind are not good for runners. We need to have a steady supply of whole grains, lean protein, and plenty of fruits and vegetables,” Thacker said.

There is no question about Thacker’s speed: he is fast. Running a mile typically takes him about 5 minutes, 10 seconds. His best-clocked time was 4 minutes, 55 seconds. But believe it or not, speed is not his main focus. Instead, he focuses on the team as a whole.

“Although speed is important on an individual level, it’s also important that we remain a team,” Thacker said. “I’m not going to go out running and ignore everyone else on the team and just try to do my own thing. Encouragement plays a big role in this sport along with endurance, belief in yourself, and belief in your team.”

“Encouraging your teammates makes you want to push harder at practices and races. I constantly encourage my athletes to push one another,” Canegitta said.

Thacker has a sincere love for both his team and his school.

“Loyola is a wonderful school with a great athletic program. We have a top-notch cross-country team and a fantastic coaching staff. My teammates are amazing. We’re always encouraging one another and we always stick together. There’s no other place I’d rather be,” Thacker said.

On Saturday, Sept. 11, Thacker placed 7th in the men’s division at the Radisson Hotel Wolfpack Invitational.

Scott O’Brien can be reached at [email protected].