WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. —

James Sprafka

Sport: Cross Country

Age: 14 years old

James has run cross country for four years and currently runs for the White Bear Lake Cross Country Team where he competes individually and as a team. He has also participated in Nordic Skiing and Track. James believes excellent endurance and strong legs are the qualities needed to be good at this sport. He enjoys cross country running because it gets him outside and he has fun running with friends. A few of his favorite places to run in White Bear Lake are Cup n’ Cone and Tally’s Dockside. Being a member of a team has taught James that “even though your individual contribution is important, you win and lose as a team.”

He has also learned not to take vacations during the running season. “I went on vacation during this running season and had to sit out of a few meets,” said James. He is thankful to his parents, “Thanks for all of your support and driving me to and from practices everyday!” The best advice he has received is “whatever you decide to do, be the best at it.” Another favorite quote of his comes from Mark Twain: Courage is “resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear”, which proves themself worthy to others and themselves. His goal as a ninth grader continuing with cross country is working his way to the Varsity team.

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