Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Caleb Tomac, Havre High cross country

Even though he is just a sophomore, Caleb Tomac has been a key runner for the Havre High cross country so far this season. In his first two meets this season, Tomac has finished first both times with finishes of 17:43.4 and 17:46.0.

Tomac credits his success this season to his offseason training regimen as well as his support group.

"They say champions are made in the offseason and that is 100 percent true and that's all because of my training," Tomac said. "My dad, myself, my family, just the support group. It's really helped me and made sure I've had the right food, nutrition and hydration."

Tomac did not compete in cross country until eighth grade when he switched over from football. He decided to change fall sports because many of his friends switched over and his father is also a runner. Along with cross country, he competes for the HHS track and field team where he also runs long distance. For the track team, Tomac runs the two-mile, 800-meter and the relay teams.

Even though running is his main focus, Tomac does have several other hobbies. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his family hunting and fishing. If he is not outside, he will play video games such as Apex Legends and Call of Duty. But running tends to take up most of his time.

"It's something that I can go and do that relaxes me," Tomac said. "It helps me deal with stress sometimes. It's just something I succeed at and I'm recognized for it so really it's part of my life."

The HHS cross country teams will next run at the Havre Invite this Saturday. Before Tomac tries to win his third straight meet to start the season, the Havre Daily News got the chance to ask him five questions.

HDN: What is your training regimen like in the offseason?

Tomac: "During the offseason, in the summer it was 40 miles a week. I went to one running camp and I really had some good inspiration and coaches there. forty miles a week. Speed days. Long-run days. Hill days because cross country isn't a track where it's always flat. It's always a course so you always got to train in the hills and in the wind and the hot and the cold. Just everything."

HDN: Did your father run in high school or did he start it as a hobby?

Tomac: "It's more of a hobby for him, but he's really picked it up. He has been through injuries and he's really taught me just to be mentally strong. He's done research and everything, but he wasn't too big of a runner through high school, but really picked it up when he was in his later years."

HDN: With three years left at Havre, what do you want to accomplish in Blue Pony cross country?

Tomac: "(Hopefully) my big accomplishment comes maybe even next year. My junior year is really just to put myself out there for colleges and my main goal is to be a state champion in cross country. I think I definitely got the training to do that, especially if I kick it up a notch and really start to mature."

HDN: Do you have any favorite professional runners?

Tomac: "My favorite runner right now is Jakob Ingebrigtsen. He's from Norway. He's in his mid-20s. I think he actually took gold in the 1,500 meters for the Olympics this year. Great runner, somebody I follow and he's kind of like another inspiration. And then Cole Hocker was a good one, too, for college. Just a really young guy coming up and competing in the Olympics so that was cool."

HDN: What do you enjoy about hunting?

Tomac: "It's something I can do with my dad and with my brothers coming up. It's about the thrill of stalking the animal and really getting that kill and thanking God for the blessing to actually go out and do stuff."