Q&A with Normal West’s state-qualifying triple jumper, Charlie Nolan
NORMAL, Ill. — Charlie Nolan had a runner-up finish in the triple jump at the IHSA Class 3A Boys State Track and Field Meet. The meet was held at the same time as his high school graduation ceremony, so his coach, Chad Aubin, presented him with his diploma on the track at Eastern Illinois University. Here is a little more about Charlie.
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Charlie Nolan: My favorite things to do outside of track are hanging out with friends, playing basketball and playing Xbox.
When you close your eyes and dream about your future, what does that look like?
Nolan: Like most athletes, I’d say I see myself competing in the Olympics with the best athletes in the world. It often keeps me up at night. I can be very eager about competing again.
Ask someone in your family to pick one word to describe you.
Nolan: I asked my mother because I feel that she knows me best. At first, she said “butthead” but after a little thinking she said “influential.” She said this because she knows how my friends and teammates look up to me and are influenced by my actions and words. She says I have good leadership qualities.
As an athlete, what is a rule you live by?
Nolan: Make sure what I’m doing now is on par with what I want to be doing in the future. Though I have struggled with this occasionally, it helps to keep me on track — no pun intended.
How would you describe your personality?
Nolan: Observant, ambitious and silky. I try to always be aware of what’s going on around me. I am good at observing how people act and feel. I am also extremely ambitious in some things and not so ambitious in others. And I definitely can be a goofball. My teammates and coaches could quote me on that.
What is your favorite snack food?
Nolan: Watermelon or popcorn. I can eat an entire watermelon in one sitting.
What is your plan after high school? Describe the reasons why you are making this choice.
Nolan: I will be attending the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh to compete in track and field. I’m doing this because I love track and Oshkosh has a phenomenal track and field team and coach.
Do you have a pre-meet ritual you always do?
Nolan: Large meal, ice bath, stretch, meditate and good sleep. The day of the meet, I need to make sure I wake up in positive spirits!
Where is your favorite place to run?
Nolan: At my home track, Normal West High School. It is what I’ve known since eighth grade when we would walk up to West for practice from Parkside Junior High School. It is where I feel my best when training and jumping.
What is your favorite memory from high school, on or off the track?
Nolan: Definitely track. The bond with my teammates and coaches is unmatched, and I love the energy of the team. My favorite specific track memory is winning Big 12 my junior year. The energy was crazy, and the whole team showed out and earned that trophy.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor?
Nolan: To stay humble and have fun. It seems like minor feedback, but to me, it was huge. It reminded me that even if I win or get dead last, the point is to win or lose with pride and never let any single race or meet define me as an athlete. Having fun was huge for me because it kept me from overthinking. Every meet I try to have a smile on my face and execute my race or jump to the best of my ability. This has nothing but positive outcomes.
Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.
Nolan: I have made a lot of mistakes, but the biggest one has been overthinking. As the bar would go up, so does the fear. I had to learn to see it as nothing more than jumping over a bar. The outcomes have been great.
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