Rogers’ big runner
For a guy whose first love was basketball, Rogers’ cross country runner Ryan Gustafson has made quite a name for himself off the court.
Looking at his 6-foot-3, 160-pound frame, most people wouldn’t be surprised to know that senior Gustafson started running during his sophomore year as a way to get in better shape for basketball. Or as he readily admits now, as a way to participate in a fall sport other than football, in which many of his friends were participating.
“Basketball was where my heart was back then,” Gustafson said earlier this week. “I didn’t know I was going to be a runner. I ran a little in middle school and then ran track as a freshman, but I didn’t think much of it.”
That’s putting it lightly, according to cross country coach Steve Kiesel.
“As I remember it,” Kiesel said, “he didn’t like it at all, and he let people know about it.”
Gustafson blossomed as a sophomore with the help of more experienced teammates, but it was still a huge surprise when he qualified for the state 4A meet at the end of the season.
“Everybody wondered who he was,” Kiesel recalled. “Because of his size, a lot of people thought he was a senior that they hadn’t seen before.”
Ah, yes, Gustafson’s size. It’s hard not to notice a 6 foot 3 inch athlete in a sport that doesn’t feature many competitors of that height, particularly ones who’ve enjoyed success at Gustafson’s level.
“There aren’t a lot of big runners,” said Kiesel. “The best I can remember around here, of course, is Don Kardong, who I think was 6-4. Uphill runs are a little tougher for a tall guy like Ryan, but aside from that there really aren’t any disadvantages to his height. He’s got good overall speed and good foot speed.”
Gustafson, named to the all-Greater Spokane League second team a year ago, is currently champing at the bit to get back on the course after enduring a couple weeks off with an iliotibial band injury. He thinks the injury, not uncommon in runners, resulted from some mechanical issues in his stride and not from overuse, as is often the case.
“It has more to do with the alignment of my stride,” he said. “My physical therapist will have me in different shoes when I can run again. I hope I can compete by next Wednesday.
“Being on the sidelines for the first time has been tough,” he said, “but it’s really sparked a fire in me. After a while, you can take things for granted. Once you’re out, though, it’s really hard to watch.”
That’s something that Kiesel’s noticed, too.
“Ryan has realized during this time how much he misses running,” he said. “It’s a difficult thing for anyone to sit on the sideline. I’ve had him going to meets with us to watch, to get him ready.
“Ryan is a hard worker, a good team leader. We’ve really missed his leadership on the course. He’s an assertive leader, and we miss not having him out there. He’s a take-charge kind of guy. I tell him what I need, and it’s done.”
In the meantime, Gustafson hasn’t completely given up his hoop dreams. Although he didn’t play last season, he cross-trained this summer, participating in basketball camps and summer games while also putting in some 40 miles a week. He plans to play for the Pirates this winter.
“My competitiveness is my strength,” he said. “I don’t like to lose at anything, and I don’t make excuses when I do. This summer I worked out the hardest I ever have. I just missed going to state again last season, and I don’t want that to happen again.”