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Sports Picture of the Month Linebacker Michael Cooper ’14 closes in on running back Andre Marsh ’13 during Sophmore team practice on Tuesday Oct. 19. The team finished the season with a 5-4 record after losing their final four games. The varsity team finished the regular season with a 4-5 record going into Wednesday’s substate game agaisnt North Scott.
PHOTO BY//LINDSAY BEST
Freshman ahead of the pack BY POMBIE SILVERMAN
pombiesilverman@wsspaper.com
D
aniel Gardasson ‘14 is out of sight before you can say Reykjavik. Hailing from Iceland, Gardasson is now running all over West High cross country. As a member of the Northwest track team, Gardasson ran in the 800 and 1600 meter races and also broke 2010 West High graduate Frank Canady’s two mile junior high record. This summer he competed at the Junior Nationals Track and Field competition in Iceland, winning the 3000 meter run. Gardasson started running with his mother in fun runs and became a member of the Northwest track and cross country team. Now he’s a member of West’s varsity team. Gardasson’s goals for this season include breaking 16:30 in the 5K and winning state as a team. He looks up to Canady and professionals Steve Prefontaine
and Haile Gebrselassie. Gardasson hopes to achieve his goals by working hard at practice. “Practice is the most exciting part of the day. I just look forward to seeing all the guys and running with them. Our team is very motivated, so we all want to go out there and do the best we can. We all help each other out and try to help each other reach our goals,” Gardasson said. Along with support from the team, Gardasson has a specific race tactic. “I always try to stay with the lead group. If I feel like the pace is going to slow, I try to push the pace and tear down everyone’s energy by the end. I try pushing myself mentally as well,” Gardasson said. “It’s hard to expect freshmen to perform consistently at a varsity level due to their current stage of development but [Gardasson] is ahead of most kids his age. He consistently has been one of the top freshmen in all of our meets,” said Coach Brian Martz. Gardasson hopes to become a professional runner someday. Until then, the freshman hopes for a successful cross country season.
Daniel Gardasson ‘12
Favorite Food: Pizza Favorite Sports Drink: Blue Powerade Favorite Class: American Studies Favorite Store: White Rabbit Favorite Band: Death Cab for Cutie
PHOTO BY//SARAH DIRKS Native Americans called pumpkins “isqoutm squash”.
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