Shawn Ferguson, 16
Junior, Academy Program at Auburn High School

I've been running for...

5 years.

I started running because...

I wanted to participate in a spring sport at West Middle School.  I started with track and later joined cross country.  I had tried other sports before like baseball and basketball.  My father suggested that I should try an individual sport. Several of my friends were joining track and had done cross country, so I decided to join.

Running makes me feel calm.  Running gives me time to think and talk with friends.  I enjoy my surroundings during a scenic run and know after a run that I am staying fit.

My favorite run is...

A long endurance run which last about an hour.  I enjoy running on the Mel Anderson pathway with friends during the week.  On weekends I often run on the riverfront or at Midway Village.

My favorite thing to do after a hard workout is...

To cheer on the rest of the runners.  New runners are encouraged by cheering.  When I first started running, I always got last place.  The encouragement of others helped me to continue.  That is something I never forgot, and I hope to do the same back.

I like to run with...

My teammates at Auburn High School.

The challenge I've overcome with my running was...

Trying to be competitive with fellow Wildcats who where running for years before I got started in the sport.

When I am not running I like to...

Swim, ride my bike, and work on my train set.

I'm inspired by...

My father. He originally encourage me to join sports such as swimming and running in Middle School.  After I started running, he decided to begin too.  My father has shown his dedication to the sport and completed the Milwaukee Marathon last fall.  He continues to enjoy running.

The local runner I admire is...

Marty Contreras. He was the first person to say I had running talent. He coached me and encouraged me to run. I first met him when he coached Ben Newson Track and Field.  Marty introduced me to road races.  Marty took me from a new runner and helped me to love it.  He still shows an interest in my races and often calls me.  Marty is also an Alumni of Auburn High School and started the Wildcats.

To push myself on a run I...

Run with others about my speed or I focus on the immediate runner ahead of me.  If nobody is with me, I remind myself of my goals before the race.  I remind myself that I will be disappointed if I do not preform to my best.  I have nothing to lose at the end of a race.

My greatest accomplishment in running is...

Going to sectional as an individual sophomore year, and as part of a team my junior year.

My next goal is...

To help Auburn High School win the NIC-9 conference and go to state.

My advice to new runners is...

To be patient. It hard to start running, but after time it becomes easier.

Running has helped me to become more responsible.  I manage my time better and do my homework much more efficiently.

I plan to run...

The rest of my life.  Running makes exercise fun.  It gives me a way to see friends during runs and races all year round.  Running unlike other sports, is something that I can do my entire life.