How I Got Here Maxim Rychkov ’28

Freshman standout sprints to the tune of record-breaking speeds.

Words by Kara Pothier

Maxim Rychkov '28

When I run, I like the feel of the wind blowing past me. Sometimes I hear people cheering from the stands, which motivates me, especially during that last bit of the race.

I played a lot of sports when I was younger and was often the fastest guy on the team. My older brother Roman ’23 ran track, and I thought it was something I could be good at, too. I took a shot at it in middle school, and then in high school I became more of the runner that I am now.

I’m a sprinter. I run the 100, 200, and 400 meters and broke the TCNJ record in the 100-meter dash with a 10.45.

In a race, I’m not really laser-focused on my opponents. I try to stay relaxed, cycle my legs through, and just keep that going until the finish line. I do see people out of my peripheral vision, and it gives me a gauge of where I am in the race.

Usually, I am the guy who catches people toward the end. I’m known for my “top speed” — that’s the fastest speed you hit in any particular race — and I tend to reach it toward the latterhalf of the race. Some runners go out well from the start, but I catch them because I just have more top speed and a better closing speed.

There’s a lot that goes into getting faster as a sprinter that people may not realize. I am out at practice every day, training and weightlifting. We do form drills and work on technique for block starts and acceleration.

At meets, I like to wear sunglasses, and one of the girls on the team braids my hair. It’s not really for superstition; it’s more or less just for the cool factor.

I’m a math major, but I enjoy music so I added a music minor. I’m part of an a cappella group at TCNJ called International Tunes, or i-Tunes, and am also in College Choir.

Singing can help with breath control and staying relaxed as you breathe. That translates into track pretty well and how I need to breathe as I run.

I won the 100 and the 200 at NJAC Championships. Our rival, Rowan University, won as a team. But we have a lot of years to try to win because this year’s freshman team is very strong. 

Photos: Bill Cardoni