James Woolley

Year: Senior

Hometown: Altadena, CA

Major: English

High School Personal Records: Mile–4:43...3200m-10:30

College Personal Records:1500m-4:23...5000m-16:22...10,000m-34:26...8k XC-27:30.

What has your experience been like in the classroom?

My classroom experience has been pretty good all around. Running Cross Country and Track & Field has definitely been an experience where I have had to manage my time consistently, pretty much on a day-by-day basis.  I’ve had to be in constant contact with my professors about missing class and making up work, but in the end it all comes together, and I can’t see myself not doing it. Trinity is a tough school, but managing classes and being on the team has made me realize just how important it is to stay focused on your academic goals. We definitely stress the fact it’s important to keep up with academics, and that there’s a reason why were called ‘student-athletes’, and not the other way around.

Tell us about your summer trip abroad?            

I don’t think there is enough I can say about Ireland. I was scared about going abroad, but I think anyone who says they’re not the slightest bit nervous isn’t thinking straight. After studying in Dublin for 6 weeks, I felt like I had a better grasp on the world as a whole (however little), simply by getting out of the United States. I think I can call my trip an adventure in every sense of the word, mostly because everything I did while abroad was new for me. I went on trips to Belfast and Kilkenny, toured the Jameson whiskey distillery, took a ride through the Wicklow Mountains, and even found my family’s native history in County Down. Learning about the immense cultural history of Ireland was incredible, as was finding the small things about their society that made it what it is today. I have to say, though, that the thing I will take away from Ireland that affected me the most was not only the people, but the way I felt when I left. I literally felt like I was leaving a second home, and that is something I’ll never forget. I could go on, but I’m afraid there’s just too much to be said. I made sure to go during the summer, however, because I didn’t want to miss a season of athletics in the Fall or Spring semesters.  Training by myself while abroad was an experience, but one that I would gladly repeat. If ever the opportunity to go again presents itself, I’ll have my bags packed in 30 minutes, no hesitation.

What do you like the most about Trinity Cross Country?              

I’d have to say the team is what makes it for me.  These guys are my family, and there’s no way I would run if I didn’t have each and every one of them running with me day after day. Cross country is not simply an “individual” sport, where all you think about is how you run and how you do in the race. This is truly a sport about harnessing that team aspect, working together as a group, and finding the drive within each and every one of you to do you best to get the team as far as it can go. If we can all do that this coming season, we’ll be able to say hello to Waverly, Iowa and the NCAA National meet.

Why did you choose Trinity University?                               

I chose Trinity for a few different reasons, but mainly my decision came down to whether or not I wanted to run at the collegiate level. A few other reasons included location, school size, classes, and a couple of the other big questions that rising seniors have when they think about where they will be for their college expereince. Coming out of high school, I was unsure if I was even going to have the opportunity to run. I had to weigh my options on whether or not I wanted to talk to coaches about running, or even if I was going to have the time and effort to dedicate myself to a commitment like college running. Thankfully, I was put in contact with Coach Breuer and Brantley Lutz, and before I knew it, I was heading to San Antonio, running gear in hand. My first days at Trinity were great, and everyone on the team made me feel welcome from day one. The team atmosphere and the amount of passion for the sport was, and still is, a driving factor for me day in and day out.  Running at Trinity has been a challenge, as is everything that one should dedicate themselves to, but all in all it’s been a fun ride, and every part of the runner in me wishes I had another four years.