Alex Phillip, a four-time NCAA Division 3 champion at John Carroll including titles in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss his preparation for the Nov. 19 final at Forest Akers Golf Course in East Lansing, Mich. Phillip prevailed last year at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer Park in Louisville, Ky., by clocking 23:27.6, the fastest 8-kilometer performance in Division 3 finals history, to help John Carroll finish fourth overall. He explains his appreciation for a young John Carroll lineup demonstrating resilience and mental toughness to overcome injuries earlier in the season to rebound and win the team titles at the Ohio Athletic Conference meet and the Division 3 Great Lakes Regional final. Phillip speaks about how inspired he is by junior teammate Joe Backus for overcoming multiple injuries and surgery in January to return to the lineup and place seventh at the regional meet. He expresses gratitude for coach Kyle Basista, not only for his training plan and creating a schedule that would challenge Phillip with multiple opportunities to compete against Division 1 and Division 2 athletes throughout the fall, but also for his guidance and leadership and support in an effort to mentor the younger competitors and allow them to rehabilitate and recover during the season. Phillip shares his excitement for competing against Elias Lindgren of Williams, last year's runner-up, along with several other returning All-Americans and examines how beneficial it was to compete Sept. 16 at the Michigan State Spartan Invitational to get a preview of the Forest Akers Course layout. He reflects on winning four individual titles last year and analyzes how a sprained ankle led to an eighth-place finish in the Division 3 outdoor 5,000-meter championship race, which was won by former teammate Jamie Dailey, now at Cincinnati. Phillip also examines the potential to become only the fifth back-to-back cross country champion in Division 3 history, including the first since Ian LaMere of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2015-16. He also praises Kassie Parker of Loras, the reigning Division 3 women's champion, along with highlighting the success of the John Carroll women's team after winning conference and regional crowns, looking to improve from a 23rd-place performance at last year's national final.