School: Colleyville Heritage High School
1. What was your most memorable race/moment?
I have a lot of memorable moments, but one that really sticks out to me was going on a long run with my coach, Will Carter, out in West Texas during the RATX summer camp. The sun was just rising and the mountains could be seen clearly in the crisp air. My Coach then decided to join me. There is something special about running with someone who shares the same passion and love for the sport that you have.
2. Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
My biggest competition these last four years would be Carter Blunt. He is an amazing runner, and more importantly, a great person. I'm really looking forward to running with him in the Pac 12 next year.
3. What was your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest outcome was winning the Texas 6A State title in Cross Country my junior year. What I hope my greatest accomplishment was and continues to be, is to inspire people to do their best. I want others to know that nothing is impossible. My teammates have definitely inspired me to be my best and I hope I have done the same for them.
4. If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
I wouldn't change anything. I believe that God has a reason for everything. It was during the most difficult times, that I grew the most as a runner and person.
5. What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome? I've had a healthy amount of adversity, and I am thankful for it all. Because of my adversity, I have grown and learned a lot which will help in college. One obstacle that was difficult for me was getting trampled on by more than 30 runners at the start of Foot Locker South. It was hard because I was expected to qualify for Nationals. Bloody and bruised, and forced into dead last, I made the decision to get up and keep running. I ended up passing more than 200 runners and settling for 40th place. The lesson here is to never give up.
6. What will you miss the most?
I'll miss my teammates and the relationships that I have established with other runners. I'll also miss all the people who have sacrificed so much of their time and energy to help me be where I am at today. I will never forget any of them. Thanks guys.
7. What advice would you give to younger athletes?
Don't be so confined to the short term picture of things. Instead, rejoice in your victories and learn from your adversity. Learn how to let go and look at temporary events in your athletic career as shaping you to be better in the long term spectrum of things.
8. What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
Coach Will Carter has been an amazing person in my life. He taught me to run with courage and toughness. He taught me not to be afraid of the unknown but to instead trust in my training and abilities. The lessons that he has taught me in my running are great metaphors of life which I will take with me. I rest assured knowing that he continues to coach at Colleyville Heritage.
9. What are your college plans?
I will attend the University Of Washington in Seattle next year and run Cross Country/ Track there. I plan on majoring in a Science related field, with the hopes of going into Sports Medicine later on. I'm really looking forward to running the longer distances in college, especially the 10,000m.
10. Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has supported me along my journey. From my parents and Coach who were always there for me, to my teammates and school who always provided their support. I wouldn't be where I am at today without any of them.
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