BOILING SPRINGS -- Boiling Springs cross country coach Steve Olejnik describes team member Sage Kosiorek as a student of the sport
"One of the great things about Sage is how he studies running." Olejnik said earlier this week. shortly after the senior was named Runner of the Week by scrunners.com.
Watch an interview with Kosiorek from Eye Opener
Last week Sage took first in the International boys 5.000-meter run at the Eye Opener Invitational held at the Milliken campus in Spartanburg.
Eighth-grader Logan Morris was named girls' Runner of the Week by scrunners.com for her performance at the same meet.
The award is sponsored by Go-Green Timing and On On Tri. and each week recognizes outstanding cross country performances from across South Carolina.
Sage finished the Eye Opener 5K course in 15 minutes. 48 seconds.
The 17-year-old said he was both surprised and happy to receive the recognition from scrunners.com.
"I didn't realize I had been selected until people at school came up to me and congratulated me." he said.
Sage said he enjoys running at Milliken. "I love that course. I train there during the summer. It's kind of like my home course."
Sage said he started running in track in seventh grade and eventually added cross country. He now competes in both. running primarily in the 1600- and 3200-meter races in track. and occasionally in the 800-meter run.
"The two go hand-in-hand." Sage said of the two sports. "Track helps with speed. and cross country helps with endurance."
Sage said he hopes this season to push the 15-minute barrier in the 5K. His best time in that event is 15:37. set last year at the Heritage Invitational in Simpsonville.
Beyond high school. Sage said he's looking at continuing in cross country with Clemson, N.C. State and Georgetown University currently on his list. He hopes to study engineering and international business.
