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Malvern Prep’s Brock Yoder is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week (Sept. 16-22)

Brock Yoder (photo courtesy of Malvern Prep)
Brock Yoder (photo courtesy of Malvern Prep)
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The sophomore runner is off to a fine start with Malvern prep, placing second in the sophomore division at the competitive Unionville 2 Mile Bash Sept. 7, and finishing first in the Friars’ tri-meet against Haverford School and Germantown Academy Sept. 10. As a freshman at Methacton High School last fall, he finished eighth in the PIAA District 1 3A cross country championships, was 20th at the PIAA 3A meet and was the fastest freshman in Pennsylvania with a 15:28 clocking in the 5K.

 

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-race preparation on the day of a race.

 

A: My pre-race routine starts the night before where I sit in my bed and think about everything and anything that could go wrong. As counterproductive as this seems it allows me to clear my head of negative thoughts before I even begin the race day. Thanks to my parents I have learned to deal with negative thoughts and shut them out. As my father told me when I was very young, your mind is like a bowl of icing, one drop of blue food coloring, a negative thought, turns the whole bowl blue. The race day consists mostly of visualizing and numerous Metallica songs.

Q: What attracted you to Malvern Prep?

 

A: The thing that attracted me to Malvern the most was the community and the brotherhood. Malvern’s community is so different from that of anything else, and even from the short time I have spent at the school I already feel as though I am a part of the community. I was also very excited to be coached by and learn from coaches Mike Koenig, a former collegiate runner for Notre Dame, and Ryan Todd, an experienced distance runner.

Q: What aspect of your running are you working on most currently?

 

A: Throughout the summer I worked primarily on my base and cardiovascular engine. Now, as the season gets underway I am doing more speed and hill work in order to tune my racing and bring it to a more competitive level. This includes racing strategies which will help prepare me for championship racing come late October.

Q: What in your opinion has been your best race so far this fall, and what was the key to your performance?

 

A: So far this year my performance at the Unionville Two Mile Bash has been my best. It gave me a good reference to my true race pace as well as provided excellent competition. Keeping a cool head and not underestimating my competitors was key to how I raced, as well as keeping an open mind headed into meet day, ready for any possible outcome.

Q: What is your favorite memory of the PIAA cross country postseason last fall?

 

A: The end to my last season was something I could have never predicted back in August 2023 when preseason started. My favorite memory of the PIAA post season was my district meet. It had been a long time coming and I was excited to see all my training and preparation come together when I set my school record.

 

Q: Tell us a little about your running shoes, the type of shoe you favor and why.

A: Currently I am wearing two shoes, one a daily trainer, and the other a racing spike. My daily trainer this year has been the Hoka Mach 6, I like the sharp and responsive feel that the Hoka’s have which really allow me to get up to speed during workouts. My racing shoe this year is the Nike Dragonfly 2. The Dragonfly 2 is Nike’s newest distance spike featuring a carbon plate and super reactive foam allowing me to feel as quick and light as possible during my races.

Q: What is your favorite academic course at Malvern Prep? What do you think you might want to major in at college? Is there a particular career field that interests you at the present time?

A: So far my favorite course is AP US History. I have found interest in studying the law as I enjoy debating. I could see myself pursuing a career in law; however, I have a huge interest in flying so that too could be a possibility.

Fun facts – Brock Yoder

Favorite book: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Favorite author: Stuart Gibbs.

Favorite TV show: Tom and Jerry.

Favorite movie: Interstellar.

Favorite athlete: Quincy Wilson.

Favorite pre-meet pump-up song: Seek and Destroy – Metallica.

Favorite team: Philadelphia Phillies.

Favorite place to visit: The Beach.

Favorite pre-meet meal: Spaghetti and meatballs.

Person I most admire, and why: “Michael Phelps, he worked as hard as he could and as much as he could to become the best in his field beyond a shadow of a doubt.”

Family members: parents Ben and Krissy, younger brother Ryder.

 

(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 previous Main Line Students of the Week click here

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