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Stephen Wofford: Unranked

Published by
Kwynn16   Sep 1st 2014, 4:40pm
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Stephen Wofford waited anxiously at the starting line at the 3rd Annual Lake Nona Running With The Lions 5K. As soon as the gun went off, Stephen got into his stride and raced towards the front of the pack.  After a 5:15 first mile, and 10:42 for the second, Stephen continued to drive. As he neared the two and a half mile mark, he began pumping his arms, opened his hands, and charged the final 800 meters. As he neared the finish, he gave everything that he had left in him and crossed the line at 16 minutes and 27 seconds. A great way to start the season.



The Bite From The Running Bug

 

People always ask runners how they run so easily, and ultimately why they run? The answer is because they’re bitten by the running bug ─ which is to get the virus, infection, temptation, or passion for running.

 

Stephen got bitten back in the fifth grade, running his first 5K. He didn’t start training seriously until he reached high school. His sister, Rachel Wofford ─ who ran and jumped for Spruce Creek and now jumps for Yale ─ really got him into running. It was then that he found out about cross country running and joined the team at Spruce Creek High School.



Spreading The Wings



As Wofford ran with the Hawks, it took him a while before he was finally able to get some air under his wings and take off. As a freshman, his season started with a 22:32. As the season progressed, he was able to knock it down to 19:11. He ran at the district meet. He went on to run 5:08.67 in the 1600 meters, 11:43.37 in the 3200 meters.


Wofford came back the next fall and ran a season-best of 17:51. He ran at the district meet for the second time. Later in the spring, Wofford ran a 4:49.67 in the 1600 meters, as well as 10:56.00 in the 3200 meters.


Wofford continued to progress his junior year. However, like many athletes, he hit a wall. In cross country, he ran a then person-record of 17:19.13, only to progress to the district meet again. After taking a small break, Wofford was back to running.

 

 

With cross country over, Wofford set his sights on running four laps around the track. He dropped 10 seconds from the previous year, running his personal-record time of 4:39.09 in the 1600 meters. Though he ran the 1600 most of the season, along with a few 4x800 meter relay efforts, Wofford ran the 3200 meters. He ran a personal-record time of 10:13.92 in the event. Again, Wofford only made it to the district meet.

 

As senior year begins, Wofford makes some big changes, and is very eager to get over the wall that’s in front of him ─ whether he gets there by running, walking, flying, or swimming.



 

Ooh! Barracuda!

 

“I haven't felt like I've completely lived up to my potential in cross country so I wasn't that happy with the cross country season,” said Wofford.   “I felt like there was another gear I just couldn't find.”

 

After three years of running with the Spruce Creek Hawks, Stephen Wofford dives into the water. Over the past summer, Wofford made the tough decision to transfer from Spruce Creek High School to New Smyrna Beach High School.


“First of all, I would like to thank the coaches and kids on the team at Spruce Creek who helped me out for three years. I have nothing but respect

and gratitude towards them and

I will still cheer for them down the road,” said Wofford. “I decided to transfer because I just needed a fresh start coming into this year. I live closer to NSB so that was a big factor in the decision as well. My parents both graduated from there too so I thought it would be cool to follow them.  Obviously it was hard leaving Spruce Creek.  All my friends go to school there, I was there for three years and have a lot of memories there. I definitely miss it but I'm happy with my decision.  I have no regrets.”

 

Now a Barracuda, Wofford has set high standards for his senior year.

 

Wofford’s first and primary goal, which he set as a freshman, is to break the 16 minute barrier in the 5000 meters. With a 16:27 this early in the season, it seems that his goal is more attainable than ever.

 

Running sub-16 minutes, that should be good enough to make it to the state meet in November.   Wofford is aiming to get over the district wall, and make it all the way to states.  Like most athletes, he feels that after four years, a trip to the state meet will be the best way for him to end his senior year.

 

His final goal is one that everyone expects, but no one really talks about.  Wofford wants to get a running scholarship. He loves what he does, no matter how much pain it brings him.  He aims to get the chance to run at the collegiate level.

 

Along with those three main goals, Wofford aims to get a few school records, which are very well in reach. His drive ─ his sister who has the triple jump record at Spruce Creek.



Looking Back

 

Stephen Wofford used to be one of those kids who used to question running altogether. He never thought that he would run competitively, let alone enjoy it.  Sometimes it just takes some time to come around to certain things.  

 

“Freshman year at a cross country meet in Gainesville I ran a 19:11. Then is when I started thinking that if I kept working hard I could definitely be good,” Wofford said. “At Spruce Creek my coach told me "I think you can be the greatest runner to ever come out of this school if you stay determined and never give up."

 

Since then, a fire has been sparked inside Wofford. He carries it with him everyday he runs. He runs every race as hard as he can, and leaves everything out on the course every weekend. He makes sure each race, he leaves with no regrets, whether it be a personal-record or not.

 

"I would tell incoming freshman or any runner that it's all about the work you put in,” said Wofford. “To be great, you have to put in the work. You also just have to have fun while doing it. Running is hard work but it is always better when you're out there enjoying it with your friends.”

 

 

Running has done amazing things with Wofford.  It’s given him something to drive for, and something to run to ─ literally. It’s showed him that in order to achieve what he wants in life, hard work must be put in. As the beginning of the end approaches, Wofford welcomes it and rushes to face it head on, taking whatever comes along the way.




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