What made you decide to commit to Wofford?
My college decision wasn't an easy one if I may be so honest to say so. After all, runner or not, the college decision is a major one; with that said there were some major aspects of Wofford that made it the right place for me. For one, it's a smaller school, and while I enjoy being social I truly love the rural, urban (and cultural) that Wofford offers. In addition, the cross country team there has a special bond that's hard to find in most any school, and I was made to feel right at home when I went for my official. It's a place I know that will give me “the real college experience." Also, probably one of the coolest things to note, Wofford has an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) huddle group; as a member for the past three years, I know that I'll be able to enter campus life and be instantly accepted into an open-minded and philosophical community of thinkers.
College commitments
What were your other top choices?
In total, I had four applications submitted between the College of Charleston, Pfeiffer University, the U.S. Naval Academy, and Winthrop University. Each school had its pros and cons for how I plan to live my college life, but Wofford just felt right.
What do you hope to achieve in academics and athletics?
Wofford is a highly accredited institution of higher learning, and I can assure you that I plan to have just as much success in the classrooms as the races; that is to say, I plan to develop myself even more so as a runner and help build a Wofford dynasty in the distance program. With only a couple years under my belt as a runner I'll be able to make so big jumps with the Terrier XC and Track team, and hopefully prove myself in the college distance, the 8K.
What did you experience during each visit?
I took two visits to Wofford College. The first visit was unofficial and with my cross-country team in the early spring of my junior year. I enjoyed talking with the coaches and taking in the beauty of the campus, but it wasn't until my official visit this past November that I was able to truly experience and appreciate everything that is the Wofford way of life! Being a small school with an exclusive student population, I felt a sense of friendliness and comfort in the university. I also felt (after sitting in on a business class) how personal the teachers were able to engage with students. To get a littler more “real," I could say that that when the team took me out to Krispy Kreme for dessert that night there was something about the rapport of the team and college that just made it easier to both enjoy myself and enthrall myself into the community.
What would you recommend to others when choosing a college?
College is big. Really big. It's not something to be decided over an afternoon brunch or after a big personal best in a 5K. College is a time to learn about yourself and take the abilities you've harnessed in high school to the grindstone to build your future. In more simple words, choose a school (if college is for you) based on your morals and ideals. Intaminatis fulget honoribus; derived from Latin, it means shining with untarnished luster. It has stood as the Wofford motto for some time, and it means to be proud of where you go to college. So choose a school that you can be proud of and that will help you bring out a shining image of yourself.
What does it feel like to have the decision made?
Exactly what you would expect it to feel like: free. And the great thing about knowing where I'm going and being dedicated to that school is that I can start working for them now in track by training with an unbridled and loyal mindset.
What do you hope to achieve this track season?
My coach plans to use me in one-way or another in a relay (most likely the 4X1600 early on this season). My main goal, however, will be the 3200. I've been training since XC States with the words “State Champion in the 3200" in my mind. I'm not a very boisterous person, but this is one thing I refuse to stay quiet about or take easy.
What does it mean to be part of the Hilton Head team?
Our team is a family in the sense of the awkward and unwavering relationships and experiences we've had (and as they will continue to have). As Coach Wrightson would say, “that's what it's all about". Our team has done great things together, but it's more than just a good bond we share. It's a partnership between teammates; you know you have true friends and brothers with you when they can hang out and have fun and then scream in your face to keep on pushing through a workout, and as my teammate Seamus (Love) would say, “It's just another day in the office." (To which our other coach, Max Mayo, would say, “Amen, brother."). Seamus Love: FINDING STRONG
Riverside, Hilton Head record state sweeps
Looking at your time in the sport, what would you want to say to your coaches and parents?
My time as a distance runner is brief considering I started just a couple years ago; in fact, it's even less time when I consider that I was severely injured for two five-month periods in the past two years. And yet, with that in mind, I know that I owe it my three coaches, Coach Wrightson, Coach Mayo, and Coach Judy, for being believers in me. They were the kind of people that saw where I was in life and didn't give me a get-out-of-jail-free card; instead, they gave me a challenge. It's because of my coaches that I learned how to challenge myself. Beyond them, I have to say that my Mom, Andrea, and My Step-Dad, Mark, have become major supporters in the past couple of years and have supported and guided me to all that I've hoped to accomplish. In addition, I also owe my grandparents, Ma and Pa (childish, I know, but unashamed), for loving and caring for me my entire life by instilling me with the morals that make me the man I am today. And last but not least, my father, Tony Ferré. As a football player and runner in high school my dad knew (and knows) what it means to play outside. I owe it to him for helping toughen me up to be as strong as I am while also instilling a sense of what it means to be a gentleman and a scholar, to give everything and show kindness whilst you do so. Of course, I have to laugh about how he's must be where I get my sense as an “early-riser" since he takes his dogs to the beach every day at dawn. I suppose, to sum it all up, I owe too many people all too much, and I can never show enough gratitude for how their influences have made me who I am and dreamed to become: A college runner.
