By: Hunter Ferguson

Stillwater runner Mez Barth spoke to VYPE in a recent interview.

VYPE: What are your personal goals for the year?

2 mile – 9:25, Mile – 4:15 800m- sub 2:00

VYPE: What is your favorite athletic memory?

My favorite athletic memory is when Keegan Thomas paced me to finish second place at a cross country meet in Claremore my freshman year. 

VYPE: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?

Keegan Thomas has left the biggest impression on me because he embodied what it looked like to work hard in order to achieve personal goals but still having fun and not being stressed about it. 

VYPE: What is your favorite part of being on this team?

My favorite part of being on a team is doing runs together, building each other up as athletes and sharing laughs.

VYPE: Do you participate in any community service projects?

I’m a member of Boy Scouts and active in my church. I’ve done community service with the Boy Scouts and gone on mission trips with my church.

VYPE: What has your sport taught you that you use in your daily life?

My sport has taught me that you always have to show up even if you feel bad or don’t want to because ultimately gaining new experiences and exposure is a key factor in personal growth.

VYPE: What is the best advice that anyone has given you?

The best advice I’ve been given is that the most dangerous runner is the one who is not only physically fit but also mentally fit. I’ve always thought of running as physical but I’ve come to learn that it’s also mental with how you think of a race strategically and the positive feedback that you can give yourself to stay motivated when you feel physically drained. 

VYPE: Who inspires you and why?

My mom inspired me to get into running since she was the one that got me into running from a young age. Now athletes like Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Eliud Kipchoge and especially Yared Nuguse who is an Ethiopian like me fuel me to keep pushing forward. They’re especially admirable since they can excel in something so challenging yet have fun with it which is what I try and model.