Brian Himelright

Name: Brian Guy Himelright

High School: Woodridge High School

College/Mascot: North Carolina State University/Wolfpack

Sport: Cross Country and Track

Class: Sophomore

Current City: Raleigh, NC

Hometown: Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Birth date: March 30, 1990

Age: 19

Height/Weight: 5’10’’ / 125lbs

On your sport…

How long have you been running? What inspired you to start running?

I have been running since 7th grade. I often try to remember why I ever started running because this is a common question runners get. When I was younger I enjoyed playing almost all sports so running was just another thing to try, once I realized I was pretty good and that I actually enjoyed it I just kept running.

Where is your favorite place to compete?

My favorite place to race is our home course here at NC State because I love seeing the NC State community out there cheering for our team. Also because this past cross country season we hosted the ACC championships, which was very exciting.

What is your favorite number? Why?

My favorite number is 33 but has nothing to do with running because we don’t use numbers. I like 33 because it was my number for a long time when I used to play soccer.

Who is the best runner you’ve ran WITH and AGAINST?

There have been tons of great runners but probably so far the best has been Samuel Chelanga from Liberty University. I ran against him at the NCAA championships breaking the 10k (6.2 miles) course record in 28:41

Do you have a pre-game ritual? If so, what is it?

Not anything specific every time, I just make sure I have a good breakfast and try to relax for a while before we warm up.

What made you choose your school?

This was probably the hardest decision of my life so far and it came down to NC State or Ohio State. The biggest factor was the team here at NC State, which I connected easily with on my visit. Also Coach Rollie Geiger has been here for a long time and has developed a great distance program that I wanted to be a part of. There have been other great runners from my high school that came to NC State for college so I knew it was a great choice. The only problem I found was the distance from home but I decided I shouldn’t reject the school only because of its location when everything else was what I wanted.

If you didn’t play your sport, what sport would you play?

Definitely soccer, I played soccer almost my whole life until high school, actually I did both soccer and cross-country my freshman year. I loved playing soccer and I remember always playing on my school team as well as a club team. However once I got more serious about my running I had to drop playing soccer.

What is the worst experienced you’ve had? What did you learn from it?

My worst experience was also one of my best. This was racing in the NCAA championships because even though it was an awesome experience I had an awful race and almost finished last. I let my nerves get the best of me and I lost before I even started. I learned that so much of running is about your attitude and how you go into the race.

Have you ever had an injury while performing your sport?

Unfortunately yes, I was lucky enough to have to injuries in high school but so far in college I have had an Achilles injury and an IT-Band injury which both took me out for almost a whole season.

What do you consider as your greatest accomplishment?

I feel that my greatest accomplishment was simply being recruited by a Division I University out of high school.

What is your most memorable moment? Why?

My most memorable moment so far has been being a part of our NC State team that won the ACC championships last fall and being up of the podium with my teammates.

How has your sport helped you become who you are today?

It has helped me learn important values such as hard work, teamwork, leadership, determination, and especially perseverance through my injuries. My injuries actually played a big role in helping me become who I am because during my injuries I found peace through my faith in Jesus Christ. James 1:2-3 is just one of the verses that helped me not get too discouraged, it says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

How has your family reacted to all of your sporting success?

My family has been awesome with my participation in collegiate cross-country. It has been difficult being so far away from home but my parents have sacrificed much of their time to travel to our meets and support me at races. Without my parents being so supportive of my success and distance from home it would be nearly impossible to be here.

Behind your sport…

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Mostly hanging out with my teammates, two of which I happen to live with. Also I enjoy playing Frisbee golf when the weather is nice. Playing video games and things like go-karting are also activities I enjoy doing during times like recruiting visits and such.

Name 3 Fun Facts about yourself that people may not know.

1-I have competed in Australia

2-I have a tattoo

3-I am the first person from my family not to attend Ohio State

Do you have a pet peeve? If so, what is it?

hmmm I guess when people don’t turn off their windshield wipers when they turn off their car

Facebook or Twitter?

Facebook

Ps3, Xbox or neither?

Xbox

What is your favorite part about college?

Being in a varsity sport. I love hanging out with the team, practicing, competing and traveling

What is your favorite quote?

John 3:30 “He must become greater; I must become less”

Who is the most influential person you’ve met? Why?

Probably, Dathen Ritzenhein who runs professionally for Nike and currently holds the American 5k record of 12:56. I met him my junior year in high school when our team competed at Nike team Nationals and Dathen met with our team in our hotel room the night before the race. He has been an amazing runner and someone I have always looked up to in my sport.

What do you value the most?

I value the Lord’s continued love and grace throughout my life, my family, friends, and my team.

What is your major? Why did you choose it?

My major is called Technology, Engineering, and Design Education. I switched to it from mechanical engineering because I wanted to be more interactive and hands on with people.

Is there anything that you regret or would take back in your life?

I took some time to actually think pretty hard about this one but I did not come up with anything. I am pretty happy with my life. I feel like anything that I have experienced in the past has made me who I am today, which I can learn from and will continue to make me who I want to be in the future.

Outside of running, what are your visions/goals in life?

I would like to be coaching a high school cross-country team while teaching at that school. I want to be living in North Carolina or Ohio but also to travel to many places in the world.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

As a Division I All-American, married and starting my career.

Final thoughts…

How do you feel about being the Dorm Rumor?

I feel privileged that I was chosen to be a part of something so many other great athletes have been involved in.

What are your thoughts about Mylan Murphy?

Tall, I remember passing him in the hallways of high school; I guess I have always looked up to him lol. More seriously I think Mylan is a very successful, creative, and focused individual and I love that he is involved with and interested in so many other athletes.

What advice do you have to anyone reading your story?

I would encourage people to look forward to the future, don’t get discouraged during hard times of life, enjoy the situation God has placed you in, and go for a run because you might enjoy it :)

What will you continue to Strive4?

I will continue to strive for my dream of being an All-American Division I runner.

Follow Brian's athletic career at http://www.gopack.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=41950&SPID=3729&DB_OEM_ID=9200&ATCLID=1565469&Q_SEASON=2009