Flagler Athletics sat down with sophomore Sam Mack to get to know him a little bit better. Sam was asked seven questions in a continuing feature called the Saints Spotlight.

As a freshman, Mack ran in all six races throughout 2014 season.  He had two top 10 finishes, one of which he finished third at the Fire Short Course Invitational with a 3K time of 20:01.40. The Jacksonville native also finished ninth at the Valdosta State Cross Country Challenge with a season-best 8K time of 25:59.2. Mack, a criminology major, was a Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll Silver Scholar in 2014.

This season, Mack has raced in five competitions for the Saints. He had a season-best 8K time of 27:34.80 at the Disney Cross Country Classic (Oct. 10). Mack was one of the runners that represented Flagler at the PBC Championships with an 8K time of 28:37.9. The Saints will travel to Wingate, North Carolina to compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association D2 Southeast Regionals on Nov. 7.  

Saints Spotlight with Sophomore Runner Sam Mack

What do you like most about Flagler?

The thing I like most about Flagler is the location. I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida so a lot of the time when I was growing up my family and I would always come down to St. Augustine for the weekends and just hang out at the beach all day. Another thing I like most about Flagler is the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing team. While, yes, we wake up at the crack of dawn and run endless miles, we all stick together and run as one. Running at Flagler and being a part of this team is something that I'll cherish forever.

Why did you come to Flagler?

Well during my senior year at Mandarin High School I was blessed to have received multiple scholarship offers for cross country and track. As I was researching and trying to figure out where I would like to take my running career next, my friend that used to run with me in high school who used to run for Flagler told me to check out the school because of how close it was to home. So, as I went on recruiting trips and toured other schools I finally decided to take up my friend's offer and came on a visit. On my visit I fell in love with Flagler. I loved the closeness that the team had and how tight-knit everything here was. Also, I liked how small the school was. Another major reason why I chose Flagler was because of the coaching style head coach Brian Beil uses. Coach Beil's style of coaching is exactly how my coach in high school coached, so it was an easy transition for me to come here and work hard.

How do you want people at Flagler to remember you?

I would want people at Flagler to remember me as a hard worker, someone who never gives up no matter what life throws my way. What I mean by that is, before the beginning of the 2015 school year/season I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and felt like everything I worked so hard for was about to crumble before my eyes. However, after talking with multiple doctors and a nutritionist, I was told that my career would not be over. I took what they said and essentially ran with it. After talking with Coach Beil and our strength/conditioning coach Steve Fell, they were really there for me and helped me through the season with anything that I needed whether it was just to talk or helping me regulate my blood sugar levels so that I could run. While, yes, this season wasn't the best for me time-wise, I was there at every practice and every race giving everything I had. I do believe in my heart that after getting more comfortable with what I got dealt with, that I'll be right back to where I was my freshman year and running like a champ. So like I said before, I would want people at Flagler to remember me as a fighter and someone who gives everything he's got whether it is on the cross country field or in the classroom.

What is your favorite memory here at Flagler?

My favorite memory here at Flagler would probably be my whole freshman year. My freshman year was so much fun, getting to run at the collegiate level and finally getting my first taste at what college is all about. I made so many close friends my first year at Flagler. So, I guess you can say I don't really have one favorite memory, but a whole year's worth of memories whether it was with my team or my friends. I hope to have plenty more memories to come within my next three years here.  

What are five words that describe you?

I guess five words that would best describe me would be: hard-working, smart, funny, adventurous, and talented.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I see myself 10 years from now hopefully working in the FBI. I am currently majoring in criminology and have always dreamed of being in the FBI. However, I would take any career within the government whether it is in the FBI or DEA, etc. My ultimate goal in life is to make a difference and help others. I can really see myself achieving that goal within law and order side of the world.

If you could trade spots with any celebrity who would it be? Why?

If I could trade spots with any celebrity it would probably have to be Mark Burnell, former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback. I am a huge Jags fan and have had season tickets sense the Jags became a team in 1995. Also, growing up I always played football and played quarterback for every team I played for as well. Yes, I know the Jags haven't been all that great the last couple of years, but when they had Burnell they were a top contending team. Go Jags!