In This Issue:

• Making A Statement

  • Interview with Wes Porter

  • Rapid Q&A

  • Get Coached By Wes

Making A Statement

Wes didn’t need an ‘adjustment period’ in his first pro season. He showed up ready to compete:

✅ First U.S. Team Selection
✅ First World Championships Appearance
✅ 3:50.37 Mile PB (#9 All-Time U.S. Indoor)
✅ 7:42.42 3000m PB
✅ 6th Place at USA Indoor Championships

After graduating from the University of Virginia last spring, Wes signed with Under Armour and joined UA Mission Run Baltimore Distance. He quickly proved his potential on the pro circuit, opening his career with a runner-up finish in the 2km at the USA Cross Country Championships to secure his first World Championship berth.

He represented Team USA in the 4×2km relay at the World Championships in Tallahassee, where the team placed 5th. Carrying that momentum onto the track, Wes put together a strong indoor season highlighted by a 3000m personal best at the BU Terrier Classic and a breakthrough mile at the BU Valentine Invitational, where he dropped four seconds to run 3:50.37 and move to #9 on the all-time U.S. indoor list.

He closed out the season with a 6th-place finish at the USA Indoor Championships, capping off an impressive rookie campaign defined by confidence and composure on the biggest stages.

Now joining The Hammer, Wes reflects on his first year as a professional, the mindset and confidence that drove his success, and his goals for the outdoor season.

Interview with Wes Porter

When you were preparing for this season, what were your goals? Overall, how did your performances match up with what you had set out to accomplish?

“My big overall vague goal was to compete in every race I was a part of. I wanted to train and race like I belonged in each race. More specifically for goals, I wanted to make the US Cross Team in XC, then PR in the mile and 3k indoors, and make the indoor world team. I came up 3 for 4 and just short of the indoor team. 

Overall, I am happy with how the first 6 months as a pro have gone, but far from being satisfied. I have definitely taken a jump from where I was in college and I want to continue to climb the ranks and be one of the best in the United States and therefore the world. It’s nice to have a little down time after the indoor season to reflect, reassess, and get excited to attack outdoors.”

How have you viewed the cross country season in the past? Was it something you enjoyed training for and competing in? Or something you just ‘got through’ in preparation for the track season?

“Cross country and I have a love-hate relationship. I found my love for running in cross country in high school. I love the team aspect and the grit that it takes to run a good cross country race. Towards the end of college, I was definitely excited that cross country was coming to an end. I remember at the NCAA Nationals in 2025, crossing the finish line and thinking “Thank God I will never have to do cross country again”. Funny enough, there I was running USA XC Champs one year later and made the US 2k Team. To be fair 2k XC vs. 10k XC are two very different things. But there is some irony to thinking I was done and then coming back and it being one of, if not my favorite, running accomplishment.”

Let’s hear more about your first World Championship experience! What was your favorite part of the weekend? Is there anything you’d do differently in your race prep or execution?

“There were so many great parts of the weekend. I think my favorite one was being at the course and seeing the crowd of so many people. Worlds being at home was a great experience, so many of my friends and family were able to come. Hearing “USA! USA!” chants as I was racing was pretty surreal. 

I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary for race prep. Just tried to take in the moment. My goal is to get back to the world stage, but I wanted to be especially present at this meet.”

It takes a lot of confidence to go after big breakthrough performances. Can you talk about the role of confidence throughout your career? Is it something you’ve always had while racing, or something that’s grown with you over time? How would you recommend other athletes develop their race confidence?

“Confidence in racing has definitely helped me throughout my career. It’s definitely easiest to be confident when training and racing is going well. But I have found ways to be confident even when things aren’t going great. I think, overall, either way when the gun goes off you have to be able to have confidence in your training and racing ability. 

I’d say the two biggest recommendations for developing race confidence is believing in yourself and remembering that racing is what you do all the hard training for. You have to trust and believe in yourself to be able to achieve PRs and continue to progress. In addition, I think often athletes can fall into the cycle of going through the motions during races because of nerves. Remembering that racing is supposed to be the fun part and enjoyable can help bring confidence.” 

What’s next for the outdoor season? What would a ‘successful’ season look like for you?

“I am currently training to qualify for the U.S. team for the World Road Running Championships in Denmark. Representing the United States is my top priority, and it’s something I take a lot of pride in after having the opportunity to wear the red, white, and blue earlier this year at the World Cross Country Championships. My focus right now is preparing for the U.S. Road Running Championships in Des Moines at the end of April, which will serve as the qualifying race. Being able to compete for Team USA again would mean a lot, and that goal is driving my training each day. 

I think a successful season would be PRing in the 1500, 5k and being consistently in contention for the win. I'm excited for the outdoor campaign. My main focus is the outdoor USA Championships in late July, besides the road running champs.”

Rapid Q&A

Favorite training shoe right now: UA Velociti Distance
Favorite off-day activity: Watching sports—especially live football or baseball
Recently watched: Rewatched Better Call Saul (love the Breaking Bad series)
Best long run partner: Adam Fogg—always has something to talk about
Running hot takes: 1) 800m isn’t close to the hardest race in track; 2) NCAA should get rid of altitude conversions

Get Coached By Wes

Confidence separates the good from the great. Build it into your training and racing by working with Wes.

Limited 1:1 spots available. Reach out today to get started.