(Photo courtesy Sun Devil Athletics)
Senior ASU Cross Country runner Vincent Mauri is having an excellent season. So far this fall, Mauri has racked up two wins in two invitationals. Additionally, he’s coming off a ninth-place finish at the Pac-12 championships where he recorded a new personal record of 22 minutes, 59.0 seconds.
Considering the depth and competitiveness of cross-country programs in the Pac-12, ASU cross-country and distance coach Ryan Ray was proud of how Mauri ran in Riverside.
“I was very happy with his ninth-place finish,” Ray said. “Those guys at that level all run super fast, and a lot of those guys have run for their countries and at world championships. They’re top of the NCAA. The Pac-12 is so stacked that I was very happy with Vinny’s position.”
Before giving an impressive performance at the Pac-12 Championships, Mauri won both invitationals that ASU competed in. At the UC Riverside Invitational, he won with a time of 23:25.7. His first-place run a the Dave Murray Invitational in Tucson concluded in 23:20.4.
Ray believes that Mauri always had the potential to achieve this much considering how well he performed in high school.
“Vinny was a very talented runner coming out of high school,” Ray said. “Top guy out of Ohio, had great marks, was already at a level of a top high school athlete, (he) ran well very early on at ASU. The talent has always been there, and the work ethic has always been there, but his mindset has been amazing. It’s taken him to where he really needs to be to reach his goals.”
As highlighted by Ray, Mauri’s mindset and mental preparation are crucial to his performances at meets. For a sport at grueling as cross-country, having the right mentality is part of the battle.
“Knowing that everyone else out there is hurting, just having to work through it and putting in the work to know that you’re talented enough to hang with the top guys, it’s a mental battle but it’s fun out there,” Mauri said.
Mauri’s parents have helped him develop his mental stability. From a young age, they instilled in him principles such as working hard and giving his full effort. These lessons have helped Mauri perform well and run fast for the team.
“My dad taught us anything you do you do full-heartedly,” Mauri said. “Around junior or senior year of high school (was) when I knew that [running] was something I wanted to do for several years of my life…I would be lying if I said I wasn’t unmotivated at times…I don’t do anything that I don’t put full effort into. I don’t quit, so it goes back to knowing I’m good enough to dig back into it.”
Support from coaches and teammates has aided Mauri’s success. While cross-country is an individual sport, Mauri’s teammates have helped him significantly this season.
“Running with people is always great,” Mauri said. “Learning to work out with them is phenomenal, and being a team and bringing it together is great…Coach [Ray] has brought the team a lot closer. Us, as a unit, are a lot closer. It’s a lot of fun being out there with your brothers.”
For his final guaranteed race of the season, Mauri will compete in the NCAA Cross Country Regionals on Nov. 11th in Tacoma, Washington. In order to extend his season, he will need to finish in the top 25 to advance to the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
