Episcopal Academy’s Owen Maier is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week
The senior cross-country tri-captain finished third at the Inter-Ac Championships, allowing EA to win the team competition; then placed eight at the PAISAA state championships. He also finished in third place at both the Delco Championships and the Briarwood Invitational. A three-sport captain at EA, Maier will row on the Williams College crew team next year. He also plays cello for EA’s orchestra and chamber ensemble.
Q: What is your most vivid memory of the Inter-Ac Championships? Can you tell us a little about the course?
A: I knew GA had two very strong runners but also knew that we had the depth to win. I told the team that if we ran within ourselves we had a good shot to win, and I think that’s just what we did. I didn’t have a particularly strong race, getting a stitch at the start of the last mile, and just hung on for third, but my best memory from the race was when we realized we won. All the miles we put in over the summer had paid off, and I’m very happy to have left a good legacy with the cross country team when my fellow seniors and I graduate. I’ve loved Belmont Plateau ever since I ran it for the first time last year, so conditions were still conducive to a good race for Episcopal, especially because we love the hillier courses.
Q: Tell us a little about your memory of the PAISAA state championships, and the race conditions.
A: This year’s PAISAAs were very fast. Last year I came in fourth with a time of 17:20, but this year my time of 16:56 was good enough for eighth. I think the huge competition up at the top pulled me to a course PR and I’m super happy to have run my last race at the plateau under 17 minutes. I think the cooler conditions allowed for that. We were pretty banged up but still put together a good showing and I’m very proud of the way Episcopal ran. I think our performance in the JV event displayed our depth, with 5 of our runners coming in the top 8.
Q: What do you think has been your best race for EA this fall, and what do you think was the key to your performance on that day?
A: I think my best race this fall was the Delco Championships. It was pretty chilly which I think I run best in, and even though we didn’t do a huge taper, my legs felt great and I kicked into a third place finish. For running against some big high schools in the area, Episcopal had one of our strongest showings, which I think again speaks to our unprecedented depth.
Q: How do you see your primary leadership role on the EA cross-country squad as a team captain?
A: I think team captain has been a position I reflected on a lot this past summer, as I will be a captain of three sports this year. Spending a year with two other amazing captains in Reid Powers and Matt Repke showed me some of the leadership qualities that I value. I think one of the most important things to be thinking about as captain is that the other runners (or rowers) are always watching me to see how to act, especially the freshmen. With this in mind, I can form a habit to always be setting a good example, whether it’s showing sportsmanship in defeat and never jeering other teams to talking to kids on the team that otherwise might not feel as valued. The experience has been a good character-builder all-around for these reasons.
Q: Do you have a running “off-season”? Briefly describe for us your pre-race preparation (physical, mental) on the day of a race.
A: My running “off-season” comes in the spring when the focus shifts to rowing. Although I still competed at Inter-Ac track championships in the 3200, I only went to one practice per week. I think cross training is super valuable, which is the reason that I tried running in the first place, to complement my rowing. To prepare for a race I try to relax as much as possible, so that I don’t burn any more energy than I need to. I actually try to treat it as a hard practice. I don’t trust myself to handle anything out of the ordinary, so if I know that I can crush a track workout without stressing or getting nervous during the day, I try as best as possible to think about a 5K as just another workout.
Q: Tell us a little about your running shoes, the type of shoe you favor and why.
A: I’m relatively new to running, but I’ve found my favorite running shoes to be ones that are light without sacrificing durability over long distances. My latest runners, the New Balance Zante Pursuits, have been that perfect hybrid for me so that I can feel like I’m going fast on the track as well as on 10-plus mile runs.
Q: What’s your favorite local running venue and why?
A: I would say EA’s home course. My body is built for holding up over hills rather than flat sprints, and Episcopal’s course is reputed as the hilliest in the area. I have found it familiar which helps a lot in my confidence that I can push it on one part or hold back on another and still be in a good position to win at the end of the day.
Q: Do you participate in any other sports or extracurricular activities at EA other than cross-country and crew?
A: Cross-country and rowing are my two main pursuits athletically. In the summer, fall, winter, and spring, I compete in both running and rowing races. However, I love playing the cello during the day for my school’s orchestra and chamber ensemble. I find it very rewarding to just relax in the middle of a hectic day and play music. It is totally stress-free and leaves me refreshed for my next class. I also participate in community service, volunteering daily over the summer at Providence Animal Center and take advantage of numerous opportunities that the community service board at Episcopal gives me. I also am on the Junto board, which I have found to be a fun tool to improve my thinking and public speaking skills.
Q: What would you like to major in at Williams College? Is there a career field that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: Right now I am digging my economics course, so that is probably what I will major in at Williams, but you never know. I also took an ethics course last year and adored it, so I will definitely want to take some philosophy courses as well. I also love history and political science.
Fun facts – Owen Maier
Favorite book: Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari.
Favorite place to visit: Marion, Massachusetts.
Favorite pre-race meal: “The ‘Rower’s Delight’ at Cosmic Café by my boathouse – peanut butter and nutella with banana sandwich.”
Favorite movie: Silence of the Lambs.
Family members: Father Rob Maier (rower at Penn), mother Jen Maier, brother Charlie Maier (lacrosse player).
(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)
To view a gallery of the Main Line Boys Athletes of the Week from 2013 to present click here
