Salute to Seniors: Chris Leo - Kearney

What was your most memorable race?
 
Wow, let me see... the first race that really pops out is my Junior Year at Richmond Invitational, I went in ranked like 4th or 5th and I ran the best race of my 2 year career there, set a new course record, meet record and well won the race along with my team reclaiming the title. I had fun and really just ran that one for my team, to help motivate them for Districts that next week. Another race that might beat that is Districts my Junior year where I was spiked at mile 1, got taken down hard, lost my shoe, and was still able to compete well and place fourth! Helping my team win the District meet and put ourselves in a great position at State!
 
Who was your biggest competition?
 
Oh man, In Cross-Country, I would say it was a tie between my Teammate Connor Stark and one of my best friends Max Jobson. Both of these guys have crazy talent and pushed me day in and day out! Competiting with Connor was an honor and competiting against Max always made me humble and it was also an honor to race against these two new Pitt State Gorillas! 
 
Out of all of your high school accomplishments which stands out the most?
 
Out of all my high-school accomplishments...being asked to report for MoMileSplit my senior year definitely stands out the most! Being given that opportunity and priviledge was an amazing opportunity. Since i was unable to compete this past track season, being able to go to track meet after track meet was an honor. Watching people succeed, break barriers and records, and just watching the smiles on peoples faces after they did the best they could made getting over my injury so much easier. Just having the priviledge of being able to spread the good reports from the KC area on MoMileSplit, giving everyone an opportunity to be noticed and given the respect and attention that they deserve. That was easily the highlight of my high school accomplishments.
 
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
 
To be completely honest... nothing. Everything that happened or didnt happen, occured or didnt occur for a reason. God has a plan for me and that plan is being rolled into play now, because of the things that happened or didnt happen. But if I had to choose one thing..I would just have had more fun with it, and tried to just relax and enjoy it more. Because running as apart of a Missouri High School Cross-Country athlete truly is amazing and a blessing!
 
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
 
The biggest obstacle I have had to overcome in my high-school career started when I was born...I was born paralyzed and crippled...And just growing up knowing that it was a miracle for me to ever walk let alone run is such a blessing, but also it was an obstacle and continues to be an obstacle. Let me explain..I feel as if being healed was a miracle and I must excel at every aspect of running, as if I never won, i would never succeed and fill the shoes that were placed on my feet. But I mean, it pushes me. So it is a obstacle I gladly accept!
 
What will you miss the most?
 
I will miss the friendships that I have developed and met. The kids in Missouri High School XC are amazing and being a former member of this group and just going to meet after meet, hanging out and competiting with everyone is going to be something I miss the most from my high-school career.
 
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
 
To just never give up. Always keep the dream and the goal, in the front of your mind. No matter what happens, go in lace up your shoes and give it all you have all the time. Enjoy yourself, make friendships that will last, and keep the hope alive, because each of you will achieve your goal. Thats the truth.
 
What are your college plans?
 
I have the priviledge to attend William Jewell College and join a great group of incoming freshman that include Broc Gaves, my future roommate and Uriah Heady, my track-off buddy! I will be majoring in Political Science, International Relations and minoring in Coaching and French. So Thanks to God, I have alot of great things to look forward to on the Hill!
 
Who would you like to say thank you to?
 
I would like to say thank you to God, he placed me through so much and brought me through everything on top! He is amazing and I am so blessed! Also, I would like to thank my Mom and Dad, they were able to get my head screwed on straight and have supported me through everything. Without my Mom pushing me to get my grades out of the toilet, and my Dad pushing me to be a better man, my parents have really allowed me form my future. The members of Missouri High School Runners, for all the encouragement and support! You guys and girls are all amazing! Thank you! and finally Coach Tom and Coach Shawn for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to compete as a Cardinal! Thank you to everyone else who has prayed for me and made me who I am! God Bless!
 

More Coverage

Chris's Athlete Profile

2012 College Signings

Want to be featured in our Salute To Seniors series?  Email PEverett@milesplit.com and answer the questions above! Congratulations to the class of 2012 on all their hard work and success. 

 

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <em style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: invert none 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana;">Want to be featured in our Salute To Seniors series? &nbsp;Email PEverett@milesplit.com and answer the questions above! Congratulations to the seniors on all their hard work and success.</em><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;</span></p> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;"> &nbsp;</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p> &nbsp;</p>