A Runner's Resolution

Just Another Runner’s Perspective January 2025 Written By Gale Fischer

 A Runner’s Resolution

“Cheer to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”

—-Oprah Winfrey

With the arrival of the New Year, there are many among us who reflect on what changes can be made to improve life. This is the season of the resolution. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a New Year’s Resolution is a promise to do something differently in the New Year.  For many in the running community, creating goals for the New Year that align with their hobby becomes a natural transition from December to January. Although a goal does not always equate to a resolution there are times when a runner may resolve to do something different in terms of running for the New Year. 

Although running may lend itself to resolutions, the tradition of making a change as the calendar rolls around to January is common among all in our society. Positive changes can occur at any time, but wiping the slate clean and creating a plan to make constructive modifications to one’s life makes sense this time of year. 

Resolutions often center around improvements in physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual health. This might include intentionally removing unhealthy practices or choices from everyday life. Examples include some resolving to eliminate the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, or fast food from everyday or long-term use. The opposite can occur with the approach of not eliminating things, but adding habits that enhance a healthy lifestyle. Examples of this might include aspiring to eat fruits and vegetables every day, consume more water, or get more sleep every night. Often times a resolution involves a combination of shedding bad habits while implementing new ones simultaneously. 

In an attempt to improve physical fitness, many individuals will resolve to incorporate an exercise routine including running, swimming, or walking. Modern fitness technology has exploded in recent years with smartwatches providing immediate and ongoing feedback and potential motivation, giving individuals access to tracking workouts and daily steps while providing instant gratification. Gyms will often feed into this frenzy, offering membership discounts for those who sign on as a new year begins. 

The holiday season typically gives ample access for all to indulge in unhealthy habits with higher than-normal sugary food and alcohol consumption associated with multiple parties and gatherings packed into a four-week period of time. This sometimes becomes another factor in making a clean change in diet and exercise as the season winds down. Although transitions are not restricted to flipping the calendar from December to January, the New Year seems like a natural time to start fresh and evaluate what to do differently going forward whether these changes are resolutions or just simple adjustments to daily habits.

The addition of running as a New Year’s resolution to one’s routine might provide the push from couch potato to transition to runner. Recently I made a resolution that is the opposite of this scenario. For almost a year, my running has suffered due to pain in my shin. Entering 2024 the discomfort in my leg, when running forced me to the sidelines for several weeks. I attempted a return to my sport in February and struggled through limited activity for two months when I was diagnosed with a stress reaction. Finally, in August I resumed running again. The pain was still present but seemed more manageable. Gradually, I built my consistency and continued running with minimal to moderate discomfort each mile. Things were not getting better but they were not getting worse either. I saw a sports med doctor a few days after Christmas. He encouraged me to take a break from running for an extended period of time to allow the stress reaction to heal completely. After consulting with my physical therapist a few days later I decided that it was time to take a longer break. I went out for six miles on December 31 to round out the year of running and haven’t run since.

My decision was a dilemma for me. I felt that the running wasn’t making things worse but at the same time as much as I craved each mile I desired equally to run without any pain. Many in our community begin their running journey with a New Year’s Resolution. For these individuals, work and family commitments have created hectic schedules with physical activity being pushed to the side. Making the time run consistently becomes the positive change in the lives of these individuals to begin the New Year. My current approa i the opposite of what many strive for with my resolution to put a halt to running for the first four months of 2025. The reasoning is the same as most resolutions with implementing a positive change to improve in some way. My New Year’s resolution is not to abandon running altogether but to leave temporarily in hopes of making it more beneficial to my life when I return.

As you read this we are well into the New Year. This doesn’t mean however that it’s too late to make a New Year’s resolution. Making revisions in day-to-day life can be something positive for all. If you desire to implement changes to make any area of your life better make that goal, hash out a plan, and implement it. It doesn’t matter if you want to improve your physical health, your mental well-being, your relationship with a loved one, or your spiritual journey. Your resolution might be a traditional one, but it could be something completely different. January offers a great transition for doing this, but any time of the year is a great time to resolve to better your life.

Victor Pierce Story

Harper’s Unsung Heroes January 2025 Written by Gale Fischer  

What is Your Passion

“It is a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together.”

We all have things we are passionate about that offer joy and excitement to life. It could be a hobby, or an activity to participate in daily. This passion may be a project one takes on intensely for a period of time before moving on to something different. It doesn’t much matter what it is or how often we engage in it. The common thread is that it is something that stimulates positive feelings. A passion sometimes occurs outside one’s job but is often tied to a career. This month’s Harper Unsung Hero, Victor Pierce, has enjoyed a passion for his job as a police officer for forty-plus years. It is one of the things that keeps him in the game after more than four decades in a career that is dominated by individuals half his age.

Victor talks about his early family life. “I was born in Kalamazoo in 1958. My brother Marc was born three years after me. My mom, Setsuko (Mona) worked at home making curtains for different businesses, and my dad, Rolland worked at Checker Motors, home of the original Yellow Taxi Cab, in Kalamazoo, as an engineer.” Victor’s parents met while his father was serving our country overseas. “Mom and Dad became acquainted when Dad was stationed in Japan with the military. They were married in Sendai, Japan at the US Military Base with an Army Chaplain officiating the wedding. Dad returned home with Mom after his tour of duty. Dad spent twenty-eight years as a military recruiter for the Army Reserves. He passed away in 1992. Mom is still alive at the age of ninety-seven.”

Victor and his brother spent their entire childhood in Kalamazoo, attending Winchell Elementary School, moving on to Oakwood Junior High, and then from there going to Loy Norrix High School, where Victor graduated in 1976. Victor reflects on some of his fondest childhood memories. “We enjoyed family vacations exploring the outdoors, pulling a camper on our travels throughout the USA.” Victor also enjoyed participating in athletics and being involved in music as a child. “Both my brother and I played baseball in Little League and on through high school. I also played high school football. During my elementary, junior high, and high school years, I played musical instruments. As a member of the concert band, I played the B flat clarinet and contra-alto clarinet. I played baritone saxophone in jazz band, was a bass drummer, and played cymbals, for the Western Michigan University (WMU) marching band. In high school and also during my years at WMU, I was in the choir. During my senior year at Loy Norrix, I was the drum major in the marching band.”

As much as Victor enjoyed athletics and music growing up, he had a bigger passion. Victor goes into detail about this. “I participated in scouts starting as a Cub Scout, transitioning to Boy Scouts, and moving on to an Eagle Scout. Scouting was a great time during my childhood. I learned so much about life and how to have fun in nature.”  Victor reflects on a few of the major pilgrimages he participated in during his years as a scout. “I went on a canoe trip up in Ely Minnesota. We learned how to canoe and portage. I also went to a high wilderness adventure camp in Philmont, New Mexico. We earned merit badges for survival skills including tying knots, skills based on life-saving, and knowledge about our world. Scouting required a lot of hard work and effort but it was worth it with the fond memories it created.”

Sports, music, and scouting dominated much of Victor’s roadmap as a child, teaching him lessons that still guide his decision-making today. Victor talks about what in his life influenced all of these things. “I participated in an organization called Youth for Christ in high school. This is an outreach ministry that deals with having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” Victor’s faith is something that defined his life as a teenager and remains strong still today. His example shows us that serving a higher being doesn’t just occur from the pulpit. After high school, he spent a decade volunteering as a counselor for Youth for Christ. The experience he gained from this has no doubt helped him through the years of his career in public safety.

To hear Victor talk about his experiences as a police officer it would seem that this is what he envisioned as part of his future as a child, but this epiphany did not come to him until a few years after high school. Victor reflects on the transition after graduating from Loy Norix. “I enrolled at WMU out of high school but really didn’t know what career path I wanted to follow. I loved music and thought this might be an option but didn’t have a vision of how this might fit into a career choice. After two years at WMU, I quit school.”  Victor quickly found a job working as a security officer for Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. It was this job that set him on a course that would determine his future career as a police officer.

Victor spent many hours helping out in the area surrounding the ER in his work as a security officer. He would see police officers coming in and dealing with situations in the ER that required their attention. “This intrigued me,” Victor explains. “I had several conversations with these police officers, and began to think that I might want to become a police officer, but there was more that would spark this interest. During my time at Youth for Christ, there was a Portage police officer who was also a volunteer counselor. One evening he spoke at a rally and told his story about being a Portage police officer. I was awestruck and was thinking that this was my calling.” 

Victor describes one defining moment that sealed the deal for him and his future in law enforcement. “I went to work one day and a co-worker was filling out a job application to be a police officer. I was excited about this and thought that I wanted to do the same. My co-worker told me that I didn’t have what it took to be a police officer.” This was the fork in the road for Victor. Instead of letting his co-worker's comments discourage him he used it as motivation. Victor gives details about what steps he would take next. “I applied to Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) for law enforcement. This was a two-year program. At the same time, the weekend supervisor position came open at Bronson so I applied for this job and was offered the position. This was perfect because I could work on the weekends and go to school during the week.” 

As ideal as circumstances seemed for Victor in going to school during the week at KVCC and working each weekend at Bronson an even more desirable opportunity would come his way. Victor explains another decision that he would have to make. “Some officers from Battle Creek Police Department came to one of our classes to give a recruiting pitch.” Victor had spent some time outside of Kalamazoo through scouting and with the camping trips he and his family went on during his childhood, but moving to Battle Creek would require him to step outside of his comfort zone. “Not long after the recruiting pitch Battle Creek Police notified KVCC’s Law Enforcement Director that they were extremely interested in me coming to work for them. I was excited about their interest in me and decided to quit classes at KVCC and pursue a career with Battle Creek Police. I was sent to Lake Michigan College Police Academy by Battle Creek Public Police Department. They even paid for my training.”

After thirteen weeks of training through the Police Academy, Victor began his career in law enforcement. “I started with Battle Creek Police Department on January 2nd, 1980,” Victor explains. “During my years with Battle Creek, I worked in many positions, including patrol operations, the mobile crime lab, and community services. I was promoted to the rank of detective in 1996. Other job responsibilities included working undercover for special investigations. I also worked in the training division as a firearms and defensive tactics instructor. I served on the emergency response team for fourteen years. In 1998 I was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Part of my duties as Sergeant included supervising the training division for a period of time and later supervising the forensic crime lab.”  During his time with Battle Creek Police Department, Victor also served as a School Safety Officer for the elementary schools of Battle Creek Public Schools and as a crime prevention officer.

Victor retired from Battle Creek Police Department in 2010, going to work for Barry Township Police Department as Chief of Police. He continued with Barry Township for four years before returning to Battle Creek. Victor talks about his return to the Cereal City. “I left Barry Township and returned to Battle Creek in 2014 as a public safety officer for Emmett Township. Public safety deals with three assignments including police, fire, and medical first responder (MFR). This transition required Victor to attend academies for fire and MFR to receive certification in these areas” 

 After working for Emmett Township for four years the opportunity to join forces with Harper Creek Schools presented itself. “In 2019 Harper Creek had an open position for a resource officer,” Victor explains. “My experience as a counselor, working with youth, and working with community service made me want to work in a school setting.” Victor reflects on the importance of resource officers working in our schools. “Kids need to see that police officers are good people. They need heroes. I feel that we need to have that rapport with kids. Making a difference in the lives of kids is my goal.” 

Victor has enjoyed working in the law enforcement arena for more than forty years. He has no long-term goals of how long he will continue but also has no plans of retiring any time soon. Victor discusses his future in law enforcement. “I feel that I have a lot of fuel left in my tank. At the age of sixty-six, I am still physically and emotionally equipped to handle this job. Being a police officer can be tough emotionally but I still try to keep a warm heart. I understand why some officers are ready to retire and get out of it, but I feel that the good Lord is telling me that I still need to do this. I have kind of a target goal to continue until the age of seventy but my game plan is to take it one year at a time”  Victor continues to do the necessary work to stay in shape for the job. “I work out regularly to stay and shape. I go to the gym. I also play basketball. I run and lift weights. Diet and nutrition is also a key.” 

Working in the trenches for more than four decades has provided memories. Some of these experiences have been scary but thrilling. They have blessed him with fulfillment. Victor reflects on one of these stories that has defined his career. “Early in my career, I was called to a scene where a young man was on a bridge ready to jump. He was in a dark place in his life and didn’t see a way out. I tried to talk him down but felt like I wasn’t getting through to him.” Victor was doing his best but struggling to resolve the situation. Fortunately, help soon arrived. “When I arrived I called in for backup. My Sergeant eventually arrived on the scene and helped me to get the subject down from the bridge. We put him in protective custody and I transported him to the hospital for treatment. I told him that although he might not understand now, the Good Lord had a purpose for him.” Victor had saved this young man’s life and it seemed both would go on with their lives without crossing paths again but divine intervention would provide a chance meeting a few decades later. “Flash forward almost thirty years later I was reunited with this individual when I was called to a local church about a possible stolen car. When I was checking the vehicle status the pastor was there. I didn’t recognize him but he remembered me. He said to me,” “I’ve waited twenty-eight years to give you a hug and thank you. You saved my life and now I am a pastor.” The experience was unbelievable” 

As a police officer, Victor has been thrust into some situations deemed dangerous or life-threatening. He goes into detail about one of these situations. “Back in 1981, there was an incident in which I was involved in a high-speed chase with a seventeen-year-old male who had stolen a car. I gave pursuit and called it in. He was running people off the road. Other police units eventually caught up with me. I was able to pull beside him. He slammed his car into my patrol unit. I left the roadway at seventy MPH. I saw a row of trees and thought I was going to die. I sideswiped the trees and felt that God stepped in to save my life.” 

Victor describes another incident. “Back in the early nineties while investigating a domestic violence incident involving someone who was wanted with a warrant. I was struck in the head with a statue that was thrown by the suspect. I was able to take him into custody and another officer who responded to the incident transported him to jail while I was taken to the hospital by ambulance where I received six stitches for my head injury.” 

Along with his job duties working on patrol with fire, safety, and police, Victor has enjoyed other areas of employment. He describes some of these. “Since 1993, I have been an adjunct instructor for Kellogg Community College, teaching for the Police Academy. During the high school spring athletic season, I work as a baseball umpire for MHSAA.” 

As much as Victor loves his job, there are many things that he enjoys outside of work that occupy his time. He and his wife Sandi have been married for more than twenty-five years. They have three adult children, Tyler, Courtney, and Victoria. He also has interests not necessarily related to his career. He goes into detail about one of these pastimes. “I have been a Superman fan since I was a kid. I have collected Superman memorabilia for years including Superman comics from the 1940s.” Victor has also enjoyed collecting and tinkering with classic cars through the years. He spends his free time creating YouTube videos as well. The passion that he has for his job and the concept that each day brings with it something new and fresh help to make work rewarding for Victor, but his hobbies outside of law enforcement have provided a needed balance. 

Victor feels fortunate for the experiences that his career has brought him. He reflects on what it has meant to him. “I am a blessed man. I have worked with some of our community’s bravest, and finest officers. It has been awesome to see generations of officers come and go. My job has put me in touch with others who have had a positive impact on my life. I have also had the privilege to be able to work with my brother Marc through part of my career who was a Battle Creek Police officer.” 

As one might imagine, there are many somber moments that come with being a member of the law enforcement community. Victor reflects on this aspect of his career. “There have been some sad moments including losing a phenomenal co-worker, Lavern Brann, who was shot while on duty. I have also been a part of the Honor Guard for Battle Creek Police Department, Barry Township Police Department, and Emmett Township Public Safety. As a part of the honor guard, I have represented these three departments and attended funerals for well over one hundred fallen officers. These moments are very moving. It is a way to show our appreciation to the officers and their families and the brotherhood that exists in our line of work”

These experiences have taught Victor some valuable life lessons and given him a great outlook on life. “I try to make the best of the circumstances that I have been given. Life sometimes hits you hard but you have to get back up. I have made my share of mistakes but overall I’m glad where I’m at in my life.”

Any career comes with times of satisfaction and moments of frustration. If one is able to weather the storm created by these setbacks, contentment, and satisfaction can create a feeling of fulfillment. If one is as lucky as Victor a passion for going to work day in and day out will exist.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Just Another Runner’s Perspective

January 2025

Written By Gale Fischer

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

“There’ll be downhills for coasting, race PRs for toasting, and running with friends through the snow.”

12/11/2024: With an hour remaining in my workday, I opened the weather app on my phone to check for updates on the radar. Just like most weekdays, I planned to change into my running gear and head out for an hour run at four PM. A winter weather advisory was in effect for the area, and although the incoming snow would likely not keep me from running, I still had looked at the hourly forecast several times today. It looked as if the front edge of the storm was due to enter our area around the time I would step out into the elements. I glanced out the window at the blustery winds whipping around scattered snowflakes that had started falling from the sky, confirming what the radar was predicting. An hour later as I began my run, the frigid air stung my nose and I started to shiver as my body reacted to the sub-freezing temperatures. The cold air made things uncomfortable for a half mile or so, but within minutes my body was generating enough heat to make the wintery conditions not nearly as harsh.

The snow fell gently to the ground for the first twenty minutes as I made my way east on Michigan Avenue, with the wind at my back. With each passing minute, it seemed as if the snowflakes appeared to grow bigger in size and the white blanket of powder collecting on the ground was becoming thicker. As I turned south on Eleven Mile Road, I could feel the wind to my right, and when I switched directions a few minutes later and ran west on F Drive, my effort increased with the wind providing a wall of resistance. As the snow began to collect on the road I navigated between dry segments of asphalt, packed snow, and slippery patches. I adjusted my stride with the road conditions increasing my effort,  but I didn’t care. With this being one of my first runs of the season in the midst of snowfall, paired with the Christmas music on my playlist, I found myself lost in the festive atmosphere. As I sat in front of the fire blazing beside the hearthstone in my living room a few hours later with the snowfall creating white-out conditions, I was grateful for the spirit of the season generated by my earlier run. It was a perfect way to decompress after a day at work. 

As a runner, I love living in the Midwest. Each season presents varied conditions to run in with the transition from spring to summer and fall to winter offering a fresh perspective. There are differing elements that accompany winter, spring, summer, and fall that help to make running a fresh experience year-round. The holiday season is a joyous time of year in all corners of the world with each offering a varied climate, but for me, the sight of snow falling from the sky with a carpet of white covering the earth’s surface makes the weeks between Thanksgiving and  New Year’s Day a little more pleasing. I always enjoy the run this time of year.

So what is it that makes running during the holiday season so special? There is more than one answer to this question. For many, the month of December offers a respite from the rigors of racing and training for competition. The fall racing season is in the rearview mirror with the spring session far off on the horizon. The focused regimen for spring races typically will not start until the first of the year or later. December often becomes a time just to run without a structured plan of action, providing an opportunity to recharge the batteries. The change in focus from scripted distances and paces to going by feel can be a refreshing change of pace.

The joy and feel-good nature of the holidays can bring a month of cheer to many. You don’t have to be a child to get excited about all that comes with this special time of year. It’s not as if there are not moments of bliss year around but these pleasant feelings for some are more plentiful as the year comes to a close. Time spent with family, celebrations among friends, and the delight in giving and receiving contribute to this festive time of year. As amazing as the blessings of the holiday season are there are times when it can also become overwhelming. A run can offer a chance to relax and calm the excitement.

Running can take the edge off at times but it can also provide a unique way to enjoy the festivities of the season. Group runs at night are often planned to weave through neighborhoods decorated with Christmas lights. There are individuals in every group who dress in elf costumes and Santa hats, adorning their attire with colored lights, adding to the holiday flavor while enjoying our sport. Some even run to and from businesses and residences, stopping briefly at each location to sing Christmas carols. Running is just another way to celebrate this time of year.

As joyous as the gala at the end of each year is, there are those who struggle during the holidays. For these individuals, not-so-pleasant memories might be associated with Christmas and the New Year. For these runners, running becomes even more important this time of year. It can provide a distraction while offering all the emotional benefits to ease the holiday struggles. 

Running offers joy and comfort year-round. The holidays can provide abundant opportunities to enhance this happiness as the magic of each mile meshes with the wizardry of the season. Run without the pressures of training and racing. Celebrate the holidays in the unique way that running offers. Use running to diminish the stress associated with the season. Whatever your motivation let running be a part of this time of year. 

Until next time, this has been just another runner’s perspective.

Dominic Lowrie Story

Just Another Runner’s Story July 2023 Written by Gale Fischer

For the Love of the Game

“I love to run, it makes me smile, I think I’ll run another mile.”

There are several ingredients that come together to create a winning formula for a high school athlete. A competitive drive, focus, hard work, mental capacity, and a willingness to learn. These are all characteristics that define Harper Creek, cross country, and track runner, Dominic Lowrie. All of these traits have played a role in Dominic becoming one of the better runners in the Battle Creek area and one of the best to ever run for Harper Creek, but the one thing that undoubtedly has helped him to achieve success more than anything else is the love that he has for his sport. Dominic was exposed to sports early on as a young child, enjoying each one before eventually finding his passion as a runner.

Dominic’s father Mark, describes why it was so important for Dominic and his younger brother, Nathaniel, to be exposed to a variety of sports at an early age. “We had the kids participate in as many sports as possible. We wanted them to be active and healthy.” Mark recalls in particular the need for Dominic to stay active.  “Dominic would frustrate me when he was younger with his constant need to be moving. One example that I vividly remember is he would often be at the dinner table, take a bite, and then walk around the table and take another bite.”

Although running would eventually become Dominic’s sport, he admits that due to his inability to stay still, he appreciated whatever sport he could participate in. “I played soccer, baseball, and floor hockey with the Wattles Park Men’s Club. I tried to participate in most sports available to me at that age.”

Dominic’s mom, Lera, had enjoyed running for much of her life but had to give it up due to a back injury and surgery. Dominic’s father Mark,  also took up running when Dominic was a student at Wattles Park Elementary. Mark was not an athlete in high school but tried running for a few years, mainly for health reasons. “I was participating in the Biggest Loser weight loss challenge at the YMCA several years ago. There were some people in this group that started to run so I decided to give it a try as well. Our group made a goal to run the inaugural Battle Creek Half Marathon in 2016.” Dominic had shown an interest in running a few years prior to this and joined Mark for part of the half marathon. “Dominic snuck in and ran the last seven miles with me.”

Mark and Lera’s participation in running played into Dominic’s love for the sport as he would tag along, participating in 5K races that Mom and Dad signed up for, or the children’s runs that were a part of these events but his joy for running did not necessarily start from seeing his parents run. A fitness program organized through the elementary school that he attended is what finally separated running from all other sports for Dominic. “When I was in second grade, Mrs. Beaver (Chris), one of the school recess/lunch aids at Wattles Park Elementary, had set up a school-wide program for kids to run or walk laps for recess. We would accumulate laps and the boy and girl with the most laps would win a bike donated by Team Active.”  The fitness program known as Operation Fit, is utilized by many schools in the Battle Creek area to promote an active healthy lifestyle. Each year Operation Fit runs approximately six weeks in the spring. When Dominic’s school first began promoting Operation Fit they named it WOW (Wattles Outstanding Walkers). 

With his energy level and competitive drive, Dominic immediately latched on to Operation Fit. “Each day I would go outside and run as many laps as I could after our lunch. I would eat as fast as possible and our lunch supervisor, Mrs. Davison (Susanne), would let me leave to go outside early. Mrs. Berning (Laurie), another recess aid, would let me go one last lap each day after the whistle was blown to signify the end of recess. I was always the first one out and the last one in.” It wasn’t as if Dominic didn’t enjoy the social aspect of recess but while Operation Fit was up and running, playing with his friends didn’t seem quite as important to him. “I figured I could run around and play tag or I could run laps and win a bike. It seemed logical to my second-grade brain to do the laps. I was highly competitive as well.”

Dominic wasn’t the only student who was all in for trying to accumulate the most laps. “My second-grade year, a classmate of mine, Ethan Tabidaon, and I were in a heated competition. In the end, we tied. Because there were two winners and only one bike a gift card was used as another prize. Ethan chose a gift card and I got a bike.” 

Dominic followed up his last two years at Wattles Park Elementary, claiming first place boy for Operation Fit both years. At the time he didn’t look ahead to the future and think about what kind of success running might offer him as a high school athlete but he realized from his experience with Operation Fit that he loved running. “At the time I didn’t know how fast I could be but I enjoyed it. It became a game for me. I would see someone in front of me and I would chase them down and then try to catch my breath. Teachers and other students would always ask me each day how many laps I had. It was a culture of encouragement.”

Another annual event put on by Wattles Park Elementary physical education teacher, Paul Cotts, added to Dominic’s passion for running. Each year leading into Halloween Mr. Cotts organizes a one-mile run with the boy and girl with the fastest time for each grade taking home the coveted trophy, a pumpkin. Dominic claimed first place for his grade for both 2nd and 3rd grade but was unable to participate in 4th grade due to illness. 

Dominic would continue running some for fun but would have to wait a year after moving from Wattles Park to the Middle School to fuel his competitive drive as a runner. As a sixth-grade student, he was finally able to compete for the cross-country team. He would experience some success as a Middle School runner but his true potential would not be seen until high school. There are some moments that stick out as memorable for Dominic competing in Middle School. “We had a girl by the name of Kayla Kane on our Middle School team. She was two years ahead of me. She was the fastest girl and always beat most of our boys. We had a mile time trial later in the year and I finally beat her. I was so excited that I was finally as fast as her.” Dominic recalls another memory in sixth grade from the Lakeview Invitational. “For the Lakeview Invite my sixth-grade year I remember crossing the finish line thinking that I really did something special with my time then I realized that it was four tenths shorter than all of the other courses that I had run.”  In general, Dominic remembers always having fun with his teammates in Middle School for practices and when setting up the cross country course for home meets.

Entering high school Dominic’s focus and output seemed to shift. He still found great joy in running but setting goals and becoming competitive seemed to become a more important component of running for him. As a freshman, Dominic would join a group of seniors who had dominated the previous two years, coming off the heels of two regional championships, punching tickets to the state cross-country championship meet for two consecutive years. This group collectively, was arguably the most dominant group of boys in the history of Harper Creek cross country. Dominic had set an early goal to break the Harper Creek freshman record and his coaches quickly realized that he would find a spot on this team of talented seniors. He quickly earned his role as a varsity runner, seemingly knocking time off of his personal best with each and every race. There are a few specific moments that Dominic considers most memorable at this juncture in his high school running career. “Both my freshman and sophomore year the Sturgis Invite was memorable. In my freshman year, I broke the Harper Creek freshman record at Sturgis with a time of 16:52 and in my sophomore year, I made it on the school's top ten board with a time of 16:19 at Sturgis. My current PR was set at Turkeyville my sophomore year with a time of 15:59 which put me at number four on the Harper Creek leaderboard.”

There are other key moments which have defined Dominic’s high school career through his freshman and sophomore seasons. He joined his teammates at the state cross country meet his freshman year and qualified individually along with teammate Brian Odell for the state meet his sophomore year. Dominic earned all state honors, finishing 18th. He was voted his team’s most valuable runner his sophomore year by his coaches and teammates, finishing first for Harper Creek in every race and winning many outright. Dominic was plagued with injuries for his freshman year of track but came back this past season with a personal record in the mile with a time of four minutes and twenty five seconds and a personal record in the two mile with a time of nine minutes and thirty seven seconds. He and his teammates were able to qualify for the state team track meet this past season and Dominic also qualified in the mile and two mile for the individual state track meet. 

Dominic’s determination and love for the sport have been the driving force for his blazing times as a runner but he admits that there are many who have helped support him in his success. “Mr. Cotts, my elementary school gym teacher, helped in the development of my competitiveness with his organization of the annual Pumpkin Run. Mrs. Beaver was the one adult who I credit for spawning my love for running with her bringing Operation Fit to Wattles Park and encouraging me each and every day. I always appreciated Mrs. Davidson and Mrs. Berning for letting me leave lunch early and come in late from recess, allowing me to log as many laps as possible. Mr. Fischer, another teacher at Wattles Park and a passionate runner as well, always encouraged me as a runner. I am grateful to Team Active for donating the prizes each year for Operation Fit. In general many of the teachers at Wattles Park Elementary showed me so much support in my love for running and lap accumulation for Operation Fit.”

Upon making the transition from elementary to Middle School Dominic was blessed again with valuable mentorship. “My Middle School cross country and track coaches, Mr. Crooks and Mr. Oaks were a great support for me as I moved into competitive running.” Like many students, Middle School provides a huge opportunity for athletics. This represents the first time for young athletes to compete with their classmates and represent their school.

Dominic’s potential as a runner began peeking through the shadows when compiling miles for Operation Fit as he ran each day around the walking path circling Wattles Park Elementary School’s playground. When he joined  the world of high school athletics his potential was on full display. Dominic gives credit to adults who mentored him for this  transformation. “The guidance provided by my three high school cross country coaches has helped me with things I have achieved so far in cross country. Coach Gadwood truly cares about the sport and his athletes. Coach Fischer has  always helped and guided me in dealing with nagging injuries. Coach Berning has always been great at motivating me and my teammates.”

Dominic had a rough go of it his freshman track season due to injuries but he was able to come out his sophomore year and prove to himself that he could succeed as a track runner. “Coach Quick, my track coach, is always pushing me. He really helped me to drop my time in the mile and two mile from my freshman year to my sophomore year.”  Another integral component in the transformation that Dominic made on the oval can be credited to a personal trainer that he has been working with. “Rob Lillie, my personal trainer, has helped me with injury prevention and strength training. Working with Rob helped me to reach a personal record this past season in the mile and the two mile.” Rob has worked behind the scenes to help many high school runners transition from solid runner to all state runner. 

Other adults outside of the school setting have also been responsible for Dominic’s success.  “My parents have always done a  great job in supporting me and keeping me emotionally stable and my uncle Ron Petty who used to be a runner has always been incredibly supportive of my running. He helped foster my love for running. He will sit through the worst conditions to watch me run.” 

The inspiration that Dominic has received from peers in his sport is perhaps felt in running at all levels from high school athletes to adults who have immersed themselves in the running community. Competitors have always helped Dominic to reach a second gear but two in particular have helped him to thrive. “Jack Bidwell from Marshall and Aiden Moore from Lakeview are my biggest competition and they really have pushed me.” Dominic truly respects his competition. 

Perhaps Dominic’s biggest support has come from his teammates. “My team in general has been supportive. My freshman year we had a talented group of seniors. This group of seniors was very supportive and helped to push me. This was an incredible group of guys as are the  guys who are on my team now.”

Running has blessed Dominic not only socially but as a student as well. It has given him a set of tools for high school and beyond. “Running has given me almost every friend that I have. Cross-country is an interesting sport because the second you cross the finish line your competitors become your best friends. I go to a cross-country camp every year with kids from Portage and Otsego. I always feel at home with other athletes who come to this camp. Running gives me time to process things and come to terms with issues. It is very therapeutic and relaxing. It gives me peace of mind. I am a better person because of running. It has helped me as a student.” 

Dominic has many of the attributes high school athletes must have for success. Perhaps one area that separates him from many of his peers is his attention to detail when setting goals and the steps he takes in trying to achieve these goals. He has developed a three-level approach to goal setting. “I have a goal-setting system that I call the three Ps: Probable, Possible, Perfect. My current 5K PR is 15:59 so based on this I have set my probable goal as running a time of 15:30, my  possible goal is 15:15 and my perfect goal 14:59. I’d also like to finish in the top five at the state meet.”  Dominic understands that to reach any of these goals it is critical that he remain injury free. 

Mark is in awe of his son’s goal setting and the commitment he has shown in trying to achieve these goals. “Dominic will consistently set high reaching goals. He works hard to do this including training hard while also allowing his  body to recover with stretching and ice baths. While his friends take in the entire experience of Friday nights under the lights, Dominic insists on leaving each football game at halftime so that he can get a good night of sleep before his Saturday cross-country meets. I can remember when he broke the freshman record. I remember being so proud of him not by getting the record but because of his goal setting, focus and hard work.”

Dominic is only halfway through his high school athletic career. Although nothing is guaranteed, running at the next level is on the radar. He has been in contact with coaches from  Alma, Saginaw Valley, Michigan Tech, Lake Superior State, and Kalamazoo College. When the dust settles and his competitive running days are behind him Dominic would like to continue running and someday possibly be a coach. 

I have had the rare opportunity to witness Dominic’s transformation as a runner. Being a longtime runner myself with a passion for the sport and a teacher in elementary school that Dominic attended, it was heartwarming for me to witness his excitement as a young child with a love for running. Having the opportunity to help coach Domininc five years later in high school was a special treat for me. Many of the runners that I have coached hang up their running shoes after their high school career is complete. Through the conversations that I have had with Dominic I am sure that he will still be running even when he is my age. As a coach and runner, seeing my athletes succeed with personal records, league championships and all-state honors is thrilling. Seeing a former athlete still enjoying running five years, ten years and decades after high school may not be as thrilling but it is just as fulfilling. Dominic’s success so far makes me happy but what makes me smile the most is the love that he has for running. 

Everyone has a story.  Stay tuned next month for another runner’s story.