HC:Â What is your favorite part about being involved with the UNL cross country team?
Trevor: The team bonding is easily my favorite thing about cross-country. The other runners are not only my teammates, but they’ve become some of my greatest friends.
HC:Â When did you first get involved with running?
​Trevor: I started running when I was about 6 years old, but I didn’t get too serious about running till I was probably a freshman in high school.
HC:Â How did you get involved with cross country at UNL?
​Trevor: I started talking to our former coach, Jay Dirksen, during my senior year of high school and he decided to give me a shot and let me walk onto the team
HC:Â What is it like to be on a college cross country team?
​Trevor: It’s awesome! It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it’s also one of the most fun things I ever done. It’s competitive every day, but it only makes everyone better.
HC:Â What obstacles have you faced during your cross country career at UNL?
​Trevor: My biggest obstacle was adjusting to college cross country compared to high school cross-country. I had no idea that it was so much more competitive and tough. I’ve gone from running 30 miles a week in high school, building it up over my years here, and now running 90-110 mile weeks.
HC:Â What injury did you face last year?
​Trevor: It wasn’t a huge injury, I had some shin splints and back problems but Coach Harris decided it would be better for me to red-shirt and train that season so I would be that much better this year. The fact that we had a really young team also played into that decision so this year our entire team would be better.
HC:Â How has that affected you?
​Trevor: At the time it was very tough. I had to train, get back in shape, and not have the satisfaction of racing. Looking back it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made though. I’m a lot stronger as a runner this year, and taking that time to develop really paid off.
HC: What was like to race again at the Augustana Twilight? How did you feel after that win?
​Trevor: At first it actually felt really weird to be racing again. It had been 2 years since my last race and I didn’t really know how fast or how long I could keep it up. Once I got about half way through the race I could tell all the training had paid off and I was feeling very good. The win really helped me get my confidence back as a cross-country runner.
HC: What are some of your UNL cross country achievements? Men’s National Cross Country Athlete of the Week and honored by the Big 10
​Trevor: Before this season, my main accomplishments were being the most improved runner my sophomore year and most valuable runner junior year. And also being a team captain, but those were team recognitions. Being recognized as a Division I and Big 10 runner of the week were huge accomplishment for me. I had never been recognized at that level, and it really has driven me to keep getting better.
HC:Â How do you feel about being a leader for your team?
​Trevor: It’s something I look forward to every day. My confidence and leadership skills have definitely grown here at UNL, so I think it’s a privilege to be able lead this young group of guys and show them what it takes to be competitive in the Big 10.
HC:Â What goals do you have this season?
​Trevor: Our team goal is to finish in the top half at the Big 10 championships. My goal is to finish in the top 5 at Big 10 championships. (hopefully win too! Haha) My other main goal is to make it to nationals and have a shot at being an All-American.
HC:Â What do you want to do after you graduate?
​Trevor: Well, I’ll definitely be looking to get a management position at a company sometime after graduation. But I also would like to continue to run competitively at the next level.
HC:Â Why do you run?
​Trevor: I run because it’s my passion. Pushing my body to the limits to see what I’m capable of thrills me. I’m just so competitive. When I get to race and all the hard work, pain, and mileage finally pays off, it is simply the greatest feeling in the world.