Name: Jeff Roberts

Sport: Cross Country

Grade: Senior

The lowdown: Within the past two weeks Jeff ran at the Bergen County Champions and the State Secionals where he placed top 15 and top 10, respectively. Roberts has been the anchor for this Valley cross country team, and has undoubtedly left a lasting legacy as his final cross country season at PV comes to a close.

What Helps him Run: “Just motivation.” When asked if he needs music, he simply replied ‘nope’.

Favorite Park to Run At: “I’d have to say my favorite park is Holmdel because we only run there so little, so few times and it’s always fun around there. I still like Darlington, but we go there a lot and it gets a little dried up.”

What he Thinks About when he runs: “I usually don’t think about anything. Sometimes I just look at the ground so I don’t trip over rocks and stuff but like usually I just zone out.”

How Often he Runs: “Usually I try to run every day, especially during the end of the season. There are only a few races left but I still like to get my practice in. I feel like having a day off might set me back so I just dedicate my time to that.” His weekly mileage is 35-40 miles a week. “Divide that by seven that’s five to six miles each day.”

What he likes about being a captain: “I’m one of five captains on the team. I feel like I have a stronger will on trying to lead the team and trying to improve everyone and motivate everyone.” When asked if he feels like a leader, Roberts said the following, “I feel like I try my best to be a leader. Obviously I can probably get better at it but I’m doing my best.”

Comment on his Coaches: “They’re great coaches and we really needed Murt (Mr. Murtaugh) to step in this season because of other situations; so Murt really helped out the team and we still performed well all season.”

Three of his Role Models: His coaches as a whole, Evan Jones (Senior runner last year at PV), and Steve Prefontaine (former professional runner).

Favorite Clothing Line: American Eagle

Favorite Shoe Brand: Asics

Favorite Teacher: Grier

Favorite Thing About PV: “I like the school spirit I love going to football games, soccer games, everyone comes to together and we’re like one unit. That’s always fun.”

Favorite Musical Artists: J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar

If he had one superpower it would be…: Ability to fly

Favorite Sport Memory: “I’d have to say my freshman year when I ran a 4:40 mile. I dropped a 13-second PR-which is like a personal best. I went from a 4:54 to a 4:40 mile. It was a big drop in one race so I was very happy with that.”

Future Plans: There’s no doubt in Roberts’s mind that he will run for the university he will attend. Which university that may be is yet to be decided. “I’m not making a decision any time soon, but some that I’m looking at are University of Iowa, Oklahoma State, University of Tennessee, and Louisville. Those are my top schools that I’m looking to get into.”