Name: John Ward
Hobbies: Rock climbing, hiking
Academic Interest: Architecture
Personal bests: 5K - 15:23, 800- 1:54, 1600- 4:20
What does it mean to be named to the Shrine Bowl Run team and helping the hospital?
It is a great honor to be a part of a team that runs for such a worthy cause.
What did you hear about the Shrine Bowl Run before this year?
I heard about the Shrine Bowl Run from previous teammates who have been a part of it. They thought it was a great experience.
What do you hope to experience during the event?
I hope to meet some new people and to feel that I am contributing to something that will make a difference in the lives of patients at Shriners Hospital.
How are you preparing to run with a football?
I've been running, walking, sleeping ,and eating with a football for the last two weeks.
How would you rate your senior season?
On a scale from 1 to 10, I would give it a nine.
What future goals do you have?
My immediate future goal is to have a great track season and to improve my times in all the events that I run. My long term future goal is to become a part of a new team at the collegiate level and to succeed (both academically and athletically) in college.
Have you made the decision to compete at the next level? Please explain.
I have made the decision to run next year in college. However, the college decision process is not easy, so I have yet to make a final decision as to where I will run. It is important to me to to find a school that will be a good fit academically as well as one that has a good running program where I can have fun and contribute to to the success of the team.
How did you get involved with the sport and when?
I got involved with cross country because my older sister, who started running on the team when she was in 10th grade, loved it so much. She persuaded me to run with her so I joined the team when I was in seventh grade.
How have you seen the sport change in the state? Please explain.
Times have gotten faster and the runners have become more competitive. I believe the sport has become more popular as well.
What was your motivation for your final XC season?
I guess you could say I wanted to "stand out of the crowd." I knew what I had to do to win races, and I had to have the will and confidence to make that happen. I improved my times in every cross country season that I ran for Wade Hampton, and I wanted my senior year to be the best effort of my high school career.
If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
I love to backpack and to take photographs so I think it would be really fun to hike with a camera all over the world - especially if I am with friends.
