Leading by Example

Junior cross country runner Kevin Ramirez-Nunez is taking great strides on the West Ashley High Cross Country Team. This is only Ramirez-Nunez’s second year on the team, but he seems to have found his niche. During his third, and most recent race, he was able to snatch first place! “This was Kevin’s first time placing first for our team,” says Cross Country Head Coach Brian Brennan.
When asked how he felt about being selected as Athlete of the Week, Ramirez-Nunez says he was proud and happy that his coach noticed his hard work at practice. “Kevin has been a great leader at practice, because he leads by example,” says Brennan. “He practices harder than almost anyone else.”
Ramirez-Nunez says he spends nearly an hour and half each day, including weekends, working on his endurance and speed by pushing himself on each and every run. He says timing each of his miles has helped him succeed in honing his abilities. His first and second races this year were especially difficult for him. “The terrain was steep, and I wasted my stamina,” says Ramirez-Nunez. After some method adjustments and a few stratagems, Ramirez-Nunez found his stride.
Ramirez-Nunez was very pleased with his recent first place finish, and is feeling good about his upcoming races. “Kevin’s goal in upcoming meets is to break the twenty minute barrier for a 5K (3.1 miles) race,” says Brennan. “I think he will do it and will get close to 19 minutes.”
Cross country is Ramirez-Nunez’s main focus. “It’s challenging, and it makes you want to get a better time each time you race,” says Ramirez-Nunez. Last year he played soccer for West Ashley High, but this year his passion and appreciation for running surpassed his love of soccer. So far this season Ramirez-Nunez has focused on obtaining shorter times for his each of his mile splits. His father helps motivate him by telling him to “push it every mile” and Ramirez-Nunez takes his father’s words to heart. West Ashley High is proud to have such a devoted athlete pushing through the ranks.
Ramirez-Nunez plans to continue running cross country next year as a senior at West Ashley High, and hopes to earn a scholarship to help pay for college. He wants to attend the College of Charleston and to eventually become a licensed contractor who works primarily in real estate.