Will, a 12-year-old 7th grader in his third year with Elevated Distance Training, is the kind of athlete every team is lucky to have. Over the past couple of years, he has been on a steady road of improvement, but this season has truly been his breakout. What once began with some uncertainty about his own abilities has transformed into a confident stride forward—proof that the more he pushed himself, the more his natural talent revealed itself. In both training and racing, Will has become one of EDT’s most consistent and dependable runners. His commitment shows in every split and every workout, with personal bests of 2:44 in the 800m, 6:01 in the mile, 11:36 in the 3k, and 23:24 in the 5k road race. His accomplishments—like breaking 12:00 in the 3k and nearly dipping under 6:00 in the mile—reflect not only ability, but a strong sense of discipline and endurance. Will’s favorite season is fall, because he loves the challenge and adventure of cross country and the excitement of racing different courses each week. But Will’s impact goes far beyond his times. He is the runner who cheers for absolutely everyone. He makes an intentional effort to bond with teammates across all ages and groups, creating connections that make the entire program stronger. His favorite part of running is racing fast alongside his teammates and pushing for high finishes, but he places just as much value on the team experiences—like traveling to Nationals last year or earning his first XC medal. Will’s goals continue to grow with him. He is aiming to break 6 minutes in the mile and finish in the Top 50 at Nationals. With all of 7th grade and his full 8th-grade year still ahead of him at EDT, he is poised to accomplish incredible things before he heads into high school, where even greater achievements surely await. Outside of running, Will enjoys reading, listening to music, and traveling. He’s a fan of the blue lightning bolt ChicknLegs design, fuels up with pasta and marinara with two breadsticks before races, and celebrates with an ice cream sandwich afterward. His advice to new runners reflects his own journey: stay consistent, don’t give up when it gets hard, and make sure your attitude matches your effort. Will represents everything EDT strives to build—hard work, positivity, resilience, and a genuine love for the sport and the people in it.