Foot Locker South Champion Judson Greer Looking To Soak Up Experience

By Todd Grasley for DyeStat

Melissa, Texas, located 41 miles northeast of Dallas, is home to fewer than 10,000 people and one of the fastest cross country runners in the nation: Judson Greer.

The junior from Melissa High finished 26th at last weekend's Nike Cross Nationals and will now turn his focus to Foot Locker Nationals in San Diego on Saturday. 

FOOT LOCKER FINALS WEBCAST INFO

"NXN was a very fun weekend and I'm glad to have gotten to be in a race with such amazing runners," Judson, the Foot Locker South regional champion, said."The race was not what I wanted, but it certainly could have gone worse. It is just more encouragement to keep grinding. I came away having learned a lot and having had a great time with some great runners." 

Humble Beginnings 

Greer’s running career started at a young age, racing other kids on the playground. When he was in first grade, he ran in a local 5K, his first taste of competition. He enjoyed it so much that it became an annual tradition, and by the time he was in the third or fourth grade, he had the urge to join a running club. 

“In fourth grade, my teacher and the father of another kid (who would go on to be one of my best running friends) began a small running club,” he explained. “That is when I first started really training and competing. It’s all history from there.”  

Standard southern living is how Greer describes Melissa, Texas. He has seen the town grow drastically since his childhood. He used to know every kid in his grade, but now he feels like he sees new people every day. 

“There are some good country roads to run on and a nice hilly gravel road that I enjoy running on,” he said. “With the town being fairly small, many people know of my running endeavors, and I’m thankful to have a lot of the community support.” 

His coach, Kelley Plitzer, who first met Greer as a middle school runner, was impressed with his talent right away. 

“Even at a young age you could tell this young man was going to be something special,” she said. “His drive and determination were evident and his work ethic was already instilled in him to be a great athlete.” 

Road to the National Stage 

Greer enjoyed a sensational sophomore year and set new personal bests across the board. In the fall of 2018, he notched his first UIL state cross country championship, just missing a sub-15-minute performance (15:02.90) and then finished 12th at the NXN South Regional. Months later in the spring, he continued that momentum with a 9:06.00 best to win the state track and field championship in the 3,200 meters and 4:14.56 to take the 1,500-meter crown. 

“I was happy with my track PR’s from last year and it got me excited for the cross country season,” he said. “The 9:06 was a 33-second improvement from my freshman year. Running the 4:14 1,600 on the same day also gave me the confidence going into the cross country season.” 

Greer steamrolled his competition this season in the Lone Star State. The junior went undefeated and won his second 4A state meet in a massive personal best of 14:34.56.  

“I know times at Old Settlers’ Park are fast and I was glad I was able to reach that goal,” he said. "I wouldn’t say that I was quite surprised, but I was very happy to have reached a goal that I knew would be difficult to obtain. I had been thinking about the race for a long time and was excited to defend my title.” 

One Last Hurrah 

When the postseason came, Greer's new goal was to qualify for both national meets. After a runner-up spot at NXN South, he knew he could run at a high level.

At Foot Locker South, he started out near the front, but not in the lead. At the halfway point, he took over and began to surge. 

“I did not expect to create a gap, but when it happened I decided it would be safest to just hold my position up front and away from the fray,” he said. “I tried to run the last mile focused and relaxed, especially since I knew it was likely the pack would try and reel me back in. On the final stretch, I saw Coen (Roberts) coming up fast behind me.” 

The duo battled it out the last 40 meters and Greer’s kick prevailed as he won the race in 14:58.00, his second sub-15 minute time of the year.

Pitzer likes the way Greer has responded to challenges and pushed himself. 

"Judson could have chosen to be okay with second place at the NXN South Regional, but instead chose to push himself to win the next race,” she said. “(He) will have a great future and it is fun to watch him grow as a person and as a runner.” 

After placing 26th at Nike Cross Nationals, a new challenge awaits. Greer knew running both meets would be difficult, but it was something he was ready to embrace, and a chance to get a lot of experience on a national stage. 

“I figured running both would be a great opportunity to grow and learn,” he said. "The plan will most likely be to focus on one national meet next year, so I wanted to experience both while I had the opportunity. I’m also looking forward to making great running friends and getting cool gear.”