By Sean Moran ’15 | Sports Editor

Representing South, boys cross country runner Nick DeBrunner ’14 is racing at States on Saturday, Nov. 2  at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.

“It’s just an amazing accomplishment,” said DeBrunner.  “It’s what I trained for all season and just can’t believe I was able to make it.”

DeBrunner at regionals was a sight to see, coach Mark Sonnenberg said.

“It was an amazing thing to see Nick after his race last Friday” said Sonnenberg. “He was beaming. I’ve never seen him so happy. He did exactly what I would have my athletes do every race: run with their head, their heart and give everything they have. I am very proud of him.”

In order to prepare for the season, DeBrunner said he ran 300 miles during the summer.

“I had to work extra hard in practice each day with the help of my teammates and coaches,” said DeBrunner.

All season DeBrunner has worked hard, Sonnenberg said.  Nick has had some experience from running Varsity last year, so he knew how to be a quality runner this year.

“This year at regionals, he ran a full 25 seconds better than his personal record to make All-Region,” Sonnenberg said adding DeBrunner has the 15th fastest time in South’s history.

DeBrunner has a great chance of placing well, Sonnenberg said, meaning he also has a chance to break his personal record.

“Nick has a chance to break his PR at 16:19, which would put him at  number seven all time at South,” Sonnenberg said. “If he does break it, he could be one of the top 50 runners in the State.”

While DeBrunner’s accomplishments are great, he has gotten a lot of support from his teammates and coaches.

“The past couple days,  my coaches gave me a very long talk telling me what I need to do in order to do well and to go out and prove myself,” said DeBrunner. “My teammates have been tweeting me and messaging me saying good luck and run your heart out.”

Leading the team from the start has proven DeBrunner to be a team captain, Sonnenberg said. DeBrunner was named one of the four captains of the team this year.

“It’s so good that Nick made it to States,” said teammate Jimmy Sands ’15.  “It shows that he has heart for the sport that he loves.”