Salute to Seniors VII


Name: Ryan Staples


School:Fort Zumwalt West




Q: What does your training look like right now given the current situation?


A: I continue to run on the roads around town and try to keep my mileage up. To avoid the monotony of running I also go hike, different weight circuits and and the occasional pickup basketball game with friends




Q: What are you doing to stay busy other than run right now?


A: My family and I have started playing 2 different board games everyday. It's been really helpful in bonding w my family. At night however it's Fortnite time with my teammates so we can stay connected.



Q: What was your most memorable race/moment?


A: During track season of last year, my team traveled to the Clayton Invitational. After the 2 day meet we tied for 3rd place in team score vs Hazlewood West. It came down to a rock paper scissor match to take home the 3rd place plaque. I lost the first round, but gained the edge in the second. It came down to the final round where I emerged victorious by throwing out scissors. Instant eruption from my teammates and fans. It was easily the best moment of my entire highschool career.


Q: What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career?


A: The funniest moment happened during senior year XC. We had finished a race and were watching the freshman sophomore race. One of my teammates, Fahad Seghal, had completed his first XC meet that day so as he crossed the finish line, turned around and threw up 2 huge peace signs in celebration of his feat. Our team lost it.


Q: Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?


A: Theres a lot of great runners and great programs out in the GAC south. Each team has a unique dynamic that makes them tough to face but out of all the competitors it has to be Maxwell Gessert. Everytime I saw his name in my heat, I knew I would be pushed to a PR that day.


Q: What was your greatest accomplishment?


A: My biggest accomplishment was in 2019 helping my team win its first conference title since 2012. We had the goal plastered in every mindset meeting and I knew if I scored big points we would have a legitimate shot. It was awesome to see my teammates step up to the challenge too.


Q: If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?


A:I would try to invite more and more of my friends to join. Track and XC is one big happy family and I would have loved to see more of friends participate.


Q: What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?


A: THE HURDLES


Q: What will you miss the most?


A: Watching the younger classmen on my team compete. There's no better feeling than watching a freshman PR for the first time and seeing their face. It's also fun to watch them sprint the first lap of a mile race and wonder "where did I go wrong"


Q: What advice would you give to younger athletes?


A: Trust in your coach and their training programs. I've spent time with a lot of coaches and they all truly want the best for each individual on their team. If you trust the process, the results will leave you more than satisfied


Q: What kind of an impact has your coach had on you and your team?


A: Coach John Cunningham is like a father to me. His biggest gift to me is teaching me to how to be a man. His weekly mindset meetings have shaped how I have decided to live my life outside of my sport and in it. Teaching class and confidence, smart and bad goals, and even how to cut my toenails just right, coach is the father figure I always needed.


Q: What are your college plans?


A: I plan to go to SLU and study political science


Q: Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?


A: I wanna say thank you to first God for allowing me to compete and secondly to the entire Fort Zumwalt West High Track and XC teams past and present. Thank you for holding me accountable and creating and shaping the man I will be.


Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?


A: Seniors stay hopeful. When get a chance to suit up, seize the opportunity as I knew so many of you wanted to early in the year.