Throughout an athlete’s career, they can experience different bumps in the road. When they do, they have to make a decision to either give up or work hard to overcome it and get back on track. Braden McNair says those decisions are what has led to him getting to where he is today.

“My success comes from when I decide to fight through the pain,” he stated. “When I run a poor time in practice and don’t overcome the adversity it stays on my mind.”

McNair is a sophomore at Luther High School, where he is a member of the cross country, basketball, and track teams. As an athlete and a student, Braden has had a few people that have had a big impact on his life and have helped him along the way.

“My dad is someone that I look up to as a role model,” he said.“ I want to work hard like he does. He is proud when I work hard and it is as simple as a look from him that he knows I didn’t work hard. Dad knows. He can tell. Another would be my teacher, Mr. Brown. It was more than teaching for him. He built relationships with his students and always wanted us to have success.”

Tyler Snedeker, who is the head cross country coach at Luther says that McNair is a great kid and a tough person.

“Braden is probably the most competitive high school athlete I’ve ever met,” he said. “It’s evident in his work ethic in practice. He’s determined to be a part of a good cross country team. So he runs extra just to push his teammates. He has the great qualities of a great teammate.”

As a runner, McNair is always working hard to better his time and is essentially competing against himself. He says that his best time that he has achieved is his favorite moment of his career so far.

“The highlight moment of cross country right now would have to be when I ran the 1,600 meter in 5:14,” he stated. “I took a lot to make that time, but it was a great feeling to do it.”