BEMIDJI 鈥� When most people go for a run on the beach, they intend to find a calming way to get some exercise. But Bemidji High 歪歪漫画 senior Issak McDonald wasn鈥檛 there to relax.
鈥淭he last couple years, we went (to Duluth) for cross country camps,鈥� McDonald said. 鈥�(We were) running across the beach by Lake Superior and kind of like the Canal Park area.鈥�
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Those treks made an impression on McDonald, and now, he鈥檚 signed his National Letter of Intent to continue running 鈥� but this time, it鈥檒l be on the track at Minnesota Duluth.
鈥淚 mainly just like the Duluth area, and I think it'd be a cool place to live,鈥� McDonald said. 鈥淎nd it's also a pretty good running program.鈥�
When he commenced his college search, McDonald examined the choices of his older friends. UMD popped up on his radar, and he soon realized that attaining a place on the Bulldogs鈥� track team was a distinct possibility.
鈥淚 started looking into Duluth, and I contacted the coach asking about what certain times I'd have to run in order to go there,鈥� McDonald said. 鈥淎nd I was within that range, so I just decided that would probably be a good fit.鈥�
McDonald will run mid-distance events at UMD. Through years of competition in both cross country and track, he鈥檚 found that this is the best match for his skill set.
鈥淭hat's just kind of what I've been better at,鈥� McDonald said. 鈥淢y junior year is when I started running mid-distance, and I realized that's what I'm better at.鈥�
With his decision out the way 鈥� and having found the events that suit him best 鈥� McDonald can now enjoy the rest of his high school career without stressing over his future.
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鈥淚t's a relief,鈥� McDonald said. 鈥淚t's nice not having to worry about it as much.鈥�
