What does it mean to be named to the Shrine Bowl Run team and helping the hospital? 
It's a huge honor to be selected for the team. I'm very excited to hang out with the other runners and help out the hospital.
What did you hear about the Shrine Bowl Run before this year?
Well, several of my former teammates participated in the Shrine Bowl Run in the past two years (Andre Ivankovic, Matthew Geer, Bradley Hamilton, Elizabeth Dawson, and Gabe Haughey) and they all said it was a great experience and that I would have a good time if I took part in it.
What do you hope to experience on Dec. 20?
I hope to get to know the other runners some more because most of the time on race days everyone is focused on competing and not socializing. So it'll be nice to take a break as competitors and get to hang out with each other.
How are you preparing to run with a football?
It's a football… shouldn't be that difficult…
How would you rate your senior season?
A huge success! My number one goal this season was to win the state title. I put in a lot of hard work over the summer and during the season and was able to come out on top. I also ran a PR at state so that is just icing on the cake.
SCHSL State: Jacob Slann interview
What future goals do you have?
I would like to run in college and pursue a degree in either health science or sports medicine.
Have you made the decision to compete at the next level?
Yes. I haven't decided where I would like to go but I'm taking a visit to Clemson this weekend and am very excited.
How did you get involved with the sport and when?
I was always athletic as a kid, playing six years of basketball and soccer, but in seventh grade my dad encouraged me to go out for the team because he thought I would do well.
Do you have any relation or know someone that has attended the Shriners Hospital?
Yes. My former teammate and close friend Matthew Geer, who ran at SMC and later Clemson, had surgery at Shriners when he was very young. I can't remember all the details, but Matt had a problem with his big toe on his right foot and doctors told him that it would be possible that he couldn't walk when he was older. Shriners preformed surgery on him when he was little and actually removed his big toe. He was healthy afterwords and has no problem walking today. He even ran XC and Track at Daniel and competed at the next level in college.
Shrine Bowl Run special for Daniel’s Matthew Geer
How have you seen the sport change in the state?
Over the years I think the state has gotten much more competitive and just better all around. My first year people were winning state with a 16 minutes and now someone would have to be somewhere around 15:30 to compete for the title.
What was your motivation for your final XC season?
To win the state title and represent my school and team in the best way I could.
If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
Travel the globe and learn about all the different cultures and people that live throughout the world. I've always wanted to know how people in other parts of the world live and see all their different customs and values.
Riverside, Hilton Head record state sweeps
