Senior Chris Bunce Continues to Make Big Strides
By: Nick Ross
Senior Chris Bunce has been running cross country and track for only one and a half years and already is a standout among the runners in the KC Metro.
He credits his ability to push himself to his mental strength.
“Everyone can train themselves physically but most people don’t have the mindset to do anything with it,” said Bunce.
However, the belief in one’s self is not all it takes to be a great runner. Chris runs an estimated 30 miles a week while conditioning for his meets.
“He is a natural at pacing himself he came into the program better at it than most kids already in the program,” said coach Jason Stacy.
Bunce’s pace is a lot faster than the average runner he set a personal record this year in the 800m at 2:05 and in the 1600m at 4:38.
“I think the reason I am able to push my limits so much is because of my friend Caleb.” Says Bunce.
Caleb Michell is another senior runner who has been putting up times close to Bunce’s.
“Caleb is always the one to push me to be better and put in work and effort with me. Really he is just healthy competition.” Says Bunce.
Coach Stacy jokingly attributed Bunce’s success to him being, “Well rested, he has had 16 whole years to rest up.”
Bunce had not even considered running until December of 2015. He worked hard in weights and coach Tyler Rathke suggested he try track. He was not sure what he would do and had run nearly a 6:30 mile in weights, but Bunce ended up joining the distance kids.
There, he excelled, moving to a 5:02 mile by the end of last season, reaching Sectionals for cross country in the fall, and this spring competing amongst the area’s best.
Next step, Bunce hopes to win Conference, advance to Sectionals, and then get to State.
Senior Chris Bunce has been running cross country and track for only one and a half years and already is a standout among the runners in the KC Metro.
He credits his ability to push himself to his mental strength.
“Everyone can train themselves physically but most people don’t have the mindset to do anything with it,” said Bunce.
However, the belief in one’s self is not all it takes to be a great runner. Chris runs an estimated 30 miles a week while conditioning for his meets.
“He is a natural at pacing himself he came into the program better at it than most kids already in the program,” said coach Jason Stacy.
Bunce’s pace is a lot faster than the average runner he set a personal record this year in the 800m at 2:05 and in the 1600m at 4:38.
“I think the reason I am able to push my limits so much is because of my friend Caleb.” Says Bunce.
Caleb Michell is another senior runner who has been putting up times close to Bunce’s.
“Caleb is always the one to push me to be better and put in work and effort with me. Really he is just healthy competition.” Says Bunce.
Coach Stacy jokingly attributed Bunce’s success to him being, “Well rested, he has had 16 whole years to rest up.”
Bunce had not even considered running until December of 2015. He worked hard in weights and coach Tyler Rathke suggested he try track. He was not sure what he would do and had run nearly a 6:30 mile in weights, but Bunce ended up joining the distance kids.
There, he excelled, moving to a 5:02 mile by the end of last season, reaching Sectionals for cross country in the fall, and this spring competing amongst the area’s best.
Next step, Bunce hopes to win Conference, advance to Sectionals, and then get to State.