Kacen Bayless
Kevin Ganahl, junior, is a varsity cross country and track runner.
He said he started running when his fourth grade teacher encouraged him to run in the elementary cross country meet.
“I got into high school and [Coach] Ebert recruited me, so I joined in,” Ganahl said. “At the end of a cross country race in 8th grade, he told me I should come out and join.”
He added the runners he looks up to are Noah Kauppila, senior, and graduate Adam Roderique.
“They’re such fantastic runners,” he said. “They make me push to do my best.”
Ganahl said he likes to think of himself as a slower Steve Prefontaine.
“[Prefontaine] got started running in high school and really started kicking it up a notch and I really hope to be that,” he said.
He said the week before each meet he will do two to three workouts and then have an easy day right before.
“I like to eat pancakes or waffles before I race,” he said. “I also like to take 15 to 20 minutes where I just sit down and listen to music, don’t talk to anyone and just kind of focus in.”
Ganahl said he is currently ranked 5th in the state for the 1500 meter.
“For Sophomore boys I was ranked 2nd in the two mile cross country,” he said. “I like the mileage that I do for Cross Country but I love the races that I do for track.”
He said in track he does anything in between the 400 meter and the 3200 meter and considers himself in-between an endurance and short distance runner.
“Everyone should get out there and run because it’s the best thing you can do for yourself.”
