If you see a guy running laps like there is no tomorrow, you probably saw Mark Braun. Mark Braun is a freshman currently on the track team. Braun is showing a lot of promise for this season, even if he has much to learn.

This young freshman decided to start running simply by inspiration. One of his friends, Julian Elortegui, was a really good runner in middle school and still holds the middle school record for 2.15 miles. This happening inspired Braun to want to do cross country, and later, track in high school. Of course, Braun couldn’t just say he wanted to do it, he had to put action towards preparing himself.

“I started running over the summer with my cousin Zia up in Minnesota. We both wanted to do cross country so we practiced everyday” freshman Mark Braun said.

Braun, being a cross country runner, also specializes in the longer track events such as the mile or 2 miles. He has still much to learn and has hopes to one day compete with the other top track runners in these events.

“My goal for this season is really just to get faster. I want to be up there with the fastest kids,” said Braun.

Besides track, Mark Braun is also an active member of student government, takes a role in multiple clubs, and a few advanced courses. He is still trying to find a rhythm where he can balance homework, clubs, and track. Track takes up a lot of his day, so by the time he gets home, he is exhausted and still has all his homework. Not to mention all the after school club activities and meetings.

“It’s been hard for me to keep all my grades up, and stay in all my clubs and get my homework done with track. So, I reached an agreement with my coach saying that I wouldn’t have to practice on days when I have a lot of work,” Braun said.

Even though he may miss a day or two of going to practice, Braun still tries to get a workout in everyday, even if it means practicing on his own on the weekends. He does this in order to keep his dedication towards track going and to keep his progressive training.

Mark Braun also likes to spend some of his time making funny videos with his friends Julian Elortegui and Holden Payne; he makes them because enjoys making people laugh. Other hobbies of his consist of playing basketball, making little knickknacks with electronics, training his German Shepard Simba, and potentially writing a book.

This fun filled freshman is packed with potential and if he follows his continuous training he will one day be able to “run with the fastest kids” as he says. Watch out because Mark Braun is on the track to success and he will run out from behind you.