With the PIAA Championship race being last month, the cross country season for this year has officially come to an end. However, for many student athletes, this was the last high school race they would ever take a part in. This is also the case for senior William Stickman V, who has had an outstanding cross country career with OLSH. Being a four year runner, Stickman ran in the PIAA Championship three consecutive years (the lone year he didn’t was his freshman season).
A large part of Stickman’s success comes from his undeniable work ethic. “He never makes excuses, no matter what, in school or in practice,” teammate sophomore Wesley Goshen said when asked about Stickman’s impact. “He’s a good role model. He’s also funny in the process, and fun to hang out with.”
That “no excuse” mindset is rather apparent when looking at how his times continued to get better year in and year out. He set a new PR (personal record) every year and decreased his average time by 1:22.4 throughout his career at OLSH. His biggest one season improvement was from freshman to sophomore year by 2:12.8.
When asked about his improvement and expectations from freshman year Stickman said, “As a freshman in the 20s I never could have imagined myself in the 16s, but I think during sophomore year I started to realize I could really be something.”
“Everyone is really geared towards hard work,” Stickman stated about the culture of the team. “Coach Hamilton really does a good job. But everybody pushes each other to be the greatest. Everybody works hard at practice and it really just builds an environment where everyone can succeed.”
All of this culminated in a spectacular senior season. Stickman finished with a sub seventeen minute time multiple times. He also finished 24th in the WPIAL Championship and 82nd in the PIAA Championship. “Trying to help the team out. That truly is what keeps it all going,” he said.
Stickman expressed his interest in running for a college team next year. “I’m definitely thinking about it. I definitely think I will probably run.” With his work ethic and drive, there is no doubt that he will have success wherever he goes. Stickman’s example of hard work as a student and runner will surely be missed by the whole OLSH community after he graduates this year.
