Running is something that Warner junior Levi Bishop says he has enjoyed since elementary school and once he started high school, he saw his efforts start to pay off as he runs track and cross country for the Eagles. “My freshman year in track I qualified for state in the 800 meters but was really nervous and I think that hurt my performance and I was disappointed in how I did. The next year I started cross country, mostly to improve my running for track and to get involved in another running activity,” said Bishop. “I like the peacefulness of cross country as well as the competition. It’s more of a solitary race until you get to the end where it gets more chaotic whereas in track there is more activity, and you have a chance to mingle between events and have some fun.” Levi’s sophomore year was much more productive in both sports. “In cross country last year, I ran 40 seconds faster than my freshman year and I wore spikes for the first time and that really helped, and I finished 21st at state. In track I qualified for state in the 800 and two-mile where I finished eighth. Colter Drake, who was a state cross country champ as a sophomore, was a big role model for me and now that he’s graduated and some of my friends have quit, cross country is not as much fun this year.” Levi’s cross country coach Tyson Hume is hopeful that the competitive spirit is still alive and well in his key runner. “Levi put in a lot of work during the off season with his sights set on being on the podium this year. His dedication and natural running talent should help him get there this year.” Hume is also the Eagles wrestling coach and has talked Levi into trying that sport this winter. “Some of the wrestlers came out for cross country this year to help us with numbers so I said I’d give wrestling a try.” In addition to regular school, Levi also attends Indian Capital Technology Center where he is in the electrical program as well as holding a part time job.
