Thomas Lodowski on Grit, Ambition, and Running for the Team | Season 3, Ep 2

In Episode 2 of Season Three of The Late Start Show, Charlie Martin and Jack Nelson sit down with Thomas Lodowski, our first student guest of the year, varsity track and cross-country captain, Ohio state record holder in the 600 meter, and two-time state runner-up in the 800. Thomas traces his path from a six-person class at Cleveland Montessori to earning a Jarvis Scholarship at University School, and reflects on the upperclassmen who shaped his early years on the team. He takes listeners inside the 800 meter, one of the most punishing events in track, and recounts toeing the line at New Balance Nationals as a sophomore, taking the school record with a third-place state finish, and the drive to climb from second to first. Beyond the track, Thomas shares how he defines being smart, his love for math and plans to study engineering, and the teachers who pushed him most. He breaks down the reality of track recruiting, from emailing 100 schools to spending weekends on official visits, and explains the mental frameworks that keep him composed under pressure. He closes with his goal of a national title at Franklin Field and the team-first legacy he hopes to leave behind. This episode is full of insight on discipline, ambition, and competing for something bigger than yourself, a must-listen for athletes and students chasing big goals. Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.