The New Balance Indoor Nationals, a meet that attracts some of the top high school track and field talent in the country, was run March 11-13 at The Armory in New York. Of all the incredible races and records that went down across the three day event, perhaps the quote of the meet belongs to Cade Flatt of Marshall County High School (Benton, KY).
Cade ran the 800 meters in 1:48.86, placing him at #3 prep indoors all-time in the event and winning the race by over two seconds. Following his huge race, Flatt, who is committed to run for the University of Mississippi in the fall, said:
“The first 200 I wanted to get out, I wanted to drag these guys into deep waters. I wanted to make it hurt the whole time, make them question why they’re in this event. I went out there with bad intentions.“
It is tough not to hear the senior from Benton and not immediately think of how this mirrors the confidence and style of legendary runner Steve Prefontaine, known for his swagger and consistently looking to run the legs off the rest of the field. We absolutely love it.
As the interview goes on, Flatt continues to also state, “There was not tactics involved, just pedal to the medal,” and “Every morning, I got ‘best ever’ written on my mirror…I wake up every day thinking I’m best.”
Watch the full interview here on Dyestat, and Cade’s race here, also on Dyestat.