Justin Bland '20 Recruiting Profile

     As a kid I have been very involved in sports.  I grew up playing basketball, soccer, football, and baseball.  My journey to Cross Country and Track began the summer going into my 7th grade.  I had broken my collarbone in football the previous year.  Running some 5k’s that summer with my Dad made me realize how much I enjoyed running and that I had some talent.  It was a difficult decision to make, but I was confident that I had made the right choice.  My middle school years of Cross Country and Track really fueled my excitement and had me looking forward to my high school career.   I knew that talent was not enough and that real dedication was a must, if I wanted to get better in this sport.  As a runner, I think that it is important to set goals for yourself.  Goals should be split into two separate categories, short-term and long-term goals.  My short-term goal in Cross Country is place in the top 10 at state and run 15:40 for the 5k.  My long-term goals include running at the college level and to continue running the rest of my life.

    Something that I have taken pride in is being a leader.  I was selected to attend the SWBL Leadership Seminar as a Sophomore.   As an upperclassman and one of the better runners on the team, being a leader will be very important.  My teammates will be looking at me as an example.  I will help out teammates and answer questions.  I am a knowledgeable runner with a variety of running experiences.  My other activities outside of sports include a youth group called young life.  I am also part of our school’s key club.  I also enjoy volunteering with our youth running program.  This is a great opportunity for me to volunteer and give back to the sport that has changed my life.