Running never seems to get a lot of love. Basketball players run, football players run, and soccer players definitely run. The core for almost all of our favorite sports here at Rocklin is the time-honored tradition of putting one’s feet in front of each other. It’s interesting, then, that no one ever seems to glorify the cross country team.

Lately, though, our cross country team has been doing great things. At the Stanford Invitational in late September, boys varsity Captain Andrew Clusserath broke the school record in the 5k, which was set two years ago by George Miao. Andrew’s new time of 15:18 means that he averaged a time of just over five minutes for each mile of the race.

As a senior and captain of the team, this only improved Andrew’s image in the eyes of the rest of the team. Andrew is not only the fastest distance runner on the team, he is also a strong motivating force to all of them.

“We all look up to and rely on him,” says junior Connor Rainey.

According to Connor, part of that admiration comes from Andrew’s “extreme dedication, even through injury.”

No matter what is happening in Andrew’s life, he always chooses to run if he’s able.

“I’ll keep running my whole life. I’d love to in college if I can find a coach,” he says.

Andrew has begun to look to the future. The former record-holder, George Miao, is now running at Columbia on a scholarship, so prospects for Andrew are looking good.

Three AP classes per day, with a total of six AP courses, mean Andrew’s already got his plate pretty full. Somehow, though, he still finds a way to run and support his team at meets, breaking records and setting new ones along the way.

Andrew, a current senior, will be away in college next year, but the team will surely miss him. With the legacy Andrew has left as a great runner and captain, he’ll be leaving some big shoes to fill.