Slagowski settings new standards in Idaho

By Mary Albl for DyeStat

MERIDIAN – It's fitting that the first tweet from Michael Slagowski's account is from Nick Symmonds. 

On April 28, 2015, Symmonds sent out a congratulatory social media message to Slagowski after his 800-meter win at the Arcadia Invitational.

Symmonds, the Olympian and member of the Brooks Beasts, graduated in 2002 from Bishop Kelly High in Boise, Idaho. He is considered one of the state's best ever track athletes. 

A little more than a year after that tweet, Slagowski is firmly estalished as the next elite middle-distance runner from Idaho. 

“Everyone really relates Idaho to Nick, and now Michael Slagowski,” explained Tim Severa, the longtime Team Idaho YMCA Track Club coach who has worked with Slagowski. 

While the soft-spoken Slagowski isn't as flashy or outspoken as Symmonds, the senior from Rocky Mountain (Meridian) has quietly made a name for himself. 

“Michael is very humble,” his distance coach Bob Hays said. “He doesn't show a lot of emotion. His emotion comes out on the track.”

Two weeks ago that emotion reached a new level at the the Pulse Invitational in Boise. At Centennial High, a meet not too many outside of the Treasure Valley were probably aware of, Slagowski set a blazing pace from start to finish in the 800 meters, coming through in 54 seconds on the first lap. He crossed the finish line in a personal best and US#1 time of 1 minute, 48.70 seconds. 

“It was awesome to do it in my home state,” Slagowski said. “It feels really good to run that time I was hoping to be at by the end of this season.”

Hays said he knew the performance would happen, it was just a matter of when. Slagowski traveled nearly 2,500 miles to New York and won the New Balance National Indoor 800 crown in 1:50.29.

At the Pulse Invitational, Slagowski cut loose.

“When he was coming down the home stretch, I knew he was going to break it,” Hays said of going sub-1:50. “He listens very well, he hits paces, he's super coachable. (The) sky is the limit.” 

Slagowski's ascension to elite status has taken time. Hays, who described Slagowski as “the perfect representative for track and field,” said the senior experienced a strong freshman cross country and track season, but hit a plateau to start his sophomore campaign. That led to a discussion with Slagowski about where he wanted his running to take him. 

“(We) had a long talk about what it takes to be elite,” Hays explained. “How you have to train a lot of hours by yourself. He really took that to heart.”

Slagowski, who is commited to run for Penn State this fall, responded with a tremendous spring 2014 season that was highlighted by a 3:53.14 1,500 victory at the BorderDuel Track Classic in Oregon. 

One of the elements Slagowski said he loves most about the sport of running is the self-accountability. 

“There's no short cuts, you have to do the work to get the good results,” he said.

Slagowski is blessed with range and speed. He can run sub-50 for 400 meters and churn through 200 in 22-23 seconds.  

“Michael is very unique compared to other runners,” Hays said. “From 400 to 1,600, 3,200 even up to 5K, (he is) very talented and very versatile.” 

While Slagowski experienced a breakout junior year -- including an 800 title at Arcadia (1:51.85) and a third-place finish at the Brook PR mile (4:08.28) -- he was sometimes in the shadow of fellow in-state great Elijah Armstrong. But the lack of attention and spotlight hasn't bothered Slagowski. 

“It's easier to run with less attention, less expectations,” he said matter-of-factly. “Someone like Drew Hunter, there was a lot of pressure to break four minutes.” 

While Slagowski has managed to run his own race for most of his prep career, if given the chance, he'd like his crack at a sub-four minute mile.

“If possible, I want to try that,” Slagowski said. 

Slagowski is coming off a personal best 4:05.71 mile victory at the Pasco Invitational last weekend, good for an Idaho all-time best and US#4 this outdoor season . He'll compete this weekend at the YMCA Inviational in Boise, but because of prom, will take it easier. He'll then gear up for the Jesuit Twilight Relays in Portland on April 29. Slagowski beat Armstrong and Washington stars John Dressel and Tanner Anderson in that meet last year.

While it's hard to compare, Severa said Slagowski is a bit ahead of where Symmonds was as a prep star. If Slagowski is able to join the exclusive sub-four list, it would move him into the spotlight once and for all.

“I don't make predictions, I won't do that, but I just think there's a fast mile coming,” Hays said.