John Singler - Bushland HS
What was your most memorable race/moment?
First year at a new school my sophomore year, and my old coach suggested that I run cross country to make a better track season after running a sub 5 minute mile my first year of running, ever. The high school I moved to has only been in existence since 2005 and was conference 2A up way in the panhandle outside of Amarillo, and the previous year they placed 9th at regionals. I am remembering walking on that course in Lubbock @ Mae Simmons park for the Region 1 xc meet. That day I gave it my all, placing ninth, becoming the first male to qualify for the state meet. I remember seeing our girls become regional champions and then becoming state champions. I walked up to the stage alone with all the other individual state qualifier runners, and then came the team results. I remember the anticipation rising as the announcer said "In third place, Bushland". We all cried even the girls; although, we didn't do so good at state, we had our glory for one moment, all we needed.
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
Myself and my running buddy who was my best friend, Bayler Boydston.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
Learning to love running.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
Not a thing. It was perfectly good and perfectly bad.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Time. I had to overcome knowing that all the fun and memories I had with my friends will come to an end.
What will you miss the most?
My teammates, my friends, my brothers. I will never forget them. And I hope that will see each other once more, different and changed, but the same in our eyes.
What advice you would give to younger athletes?
The memories are worth all the pain.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
He was never really much of a coach. Not much knowledge in the science of running, and he only just told us what to run not how. And all could have been better runners with a better coach, but I don't think we would had loved it as much as it was with him. I remember him saying to us at our last team dinner as seniors before going off to our last state meet that he had only cried twice in his life, once at his wedding, he started to cry, the second one was now. He said how special of a class we were and he'll always remember us.
What are your college plans?
Going to St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas to run cross country and study computer science, and discover who is the person I see in the mirror.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
Bree Romo, Savannah Sullins, Tate Smalligan, Kyle Ray, Jordain Webb, Celeste Barton, and Bayler Boydston; friends till the end.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Just again to say thank you to Bayler and as our coach said it "One wouldn't be here without the other"
What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career
Showing up to the first day of xc practice sophomore year and placing 7th, on the girls team.
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