Oswego East Student-Athlete of the Week-Will Kieffer

Oswego IL

11 March, 2022

2:59 PM

Description

Often student-athletes will gain an almost immediate affinity for the sports they choose. Usually, they can tell right away they have a knack for the sport and will begin committing more time as they find success. Senior Will Kieffer's journey in track took a bit more time than that. However, his successes as an individual and the leadership he provides for his teammates is a key reason for the team's success, which is why he is this week's Oswego East student-athlete of the week. Will's journey to becoming a leader for the Wolves began in 6th grade. "My parents wanted me to do something, but the first week the practices were really difficult and it was really hot," says Will. However, something clicked for Will in 8th grade, allowing his successes to catapult him to commit to being the best runner he could. "We did a mile time trial in 8th grade which I finished under 6 minutes, and I started to realize running was something I could be good at," says Will. Will adds, "that year the team made it to sectionals, and the more I ran and got to know my teammates, the more I started to love running." Josephine Kieffer, Will's mom, understands what role track and cross country have played in her son's life, saying, "I have seen a lot of maturity over the years of him being in track and cross country," says Josephine. She goes on to say, "It has helped Will with goal setting, staying focused, and understanding how to look deeper within himself to see what he can do to improve his performance as a runner." Track athletes tend to be more specialized than the casual fan may understand. Running events are broken down into several groups, which include sprints, hurdles, middle distance, and distance. Famous names known around the world are usually sprinters, i.e. Usain Bolt, and the world usually turns into longer distance running championships such as the Boston Marathon. However, mid-distance is a skill that requires a unique combination of stamina and speed, and Will was able to find his calling in the 400-meter and 800-meter events. Head coach Jim Milner says, "Will has always had a great amount of ability. But, we've seen him mature as a person and leader greatly over the years." Josephine agrees, saying, "I have seen a lot of maturity over the years of him being in track/CC." She goes on to say, "It has helped him with goal setting. It has helped him stay focused and know how to look deeper within himself to see what he can do to improve his performance as a runner." Finding his place as a runner allowed Will to consistently look to improve at every practice and meet, as well as set personal goals for himself for this season. "I love being around my teammates, and I want to be ranked on the top 10 list in both the 800m and 400m," says Will. He also adds, "I want to make my teammates proud and help bring them up because by me having success it helps them do better as well." It is not just on the track where Will has matured, but in the classroom as well. Having earned a 3.5 G.P.A., Will is hoping to attend the University of South Florida and major in management information systems. "William is very intelligent, logical, and a deep thinker and he will do very well with that major," says Josephine. She adds, "William likes adventure and would enjoy the flexibility from management information systems that would allow him to see the world without being defined to one place." Will's Graphic Communication 3 teacher, Lisa Cook, believes Will has the demeanor and personality to thrive in the field, saying, "Will has a great sense of humor and is confident and creative as well." She goes on to say, "Will is great with technology, and he's a people person as well. I think those qualities, paired with his creativity, will help him to be very successful in management information systems. He can be a great teammate and leader, and I think those skills will help him to be successful as well." Will is the perfect example of how finding a passion through sports can help lead to maturation and success on the field, in the classroom, and as a person. As a senior leader at East, Will attempts to ease the mind of future students, and offer some advice, saying, "There are a lot of rumors about high school, but it is not as difficult as it seems. Make sure to complete your assignments on time, don't procrastinate, and get as much sleep as you can." Will has taken advantage of the opportunities OE and track have provided him, and his opponents would be wise not to sleep on him as the season starts warming up.