Levi Haynes
Community Christian Cross Country
Community Christian High School junior, Levi Haynes, is a member of the varsity cross country team and a member of the Royal Pride band.
This season, Haynes has enjoyed competing with his team and winning.
“My favorite moment this season would have to be winning the OBU XC meet by 32 seconds. After about 200 meters I knew I could win because I already had a substantial lead and I continued to build on this lead throughout the race. Everyone in the crowd was cheering for me whether they knew me or not which was super fun. Our team also ran very well at OBU, and we had three other runners finish in the top 15,” said Haynes.
Haynes started running when he was in the sixth grade thanks to an older sibling.
“My older brother was a runner. I played baseball in sixth grade, but I knew that wasn’t really my sport.
After COVID happened during my seventh-grade year, I started running consistently and I realized that running was something I enjoyed, and I was good at. I quit baseball and never looked back. Now I run daily and have fun running cross country and track,” said Haynes.
As a student-athlete at Community Christian, Haynes said he’s enjoyed representing the school and his teammates.
“Community Christian is a great place to be an athlete. All the coaches are super supportive and very vocal about their faith in Christ. There is a great sense of unity within the cross-country team, and it really feels more like a big family because we get to train, laugh, and have fun together every day,” said Haynes.
“The best part about being on a cross country team is the unity and bonds we have with each other. Whether it’s singing Olivia Rodrigo at the top of our lungs on the way to a meet or putting in the 13-mile-long runs, we always have a blast being on such a great team. Noah Robinson and Ryder Brum are two runners that are looking to have a great season this year. Noah’s fastest time for this season is 18:09
and he should be able to come in top 15 at state. Ryder Brum has also had a good season so far and has run a 19:00 as his faster time. Ryder is looking to improve on that time by the end of the season.”
Haynes said his favorite subject in school is his foreign language class.
“My favorite subject in school is probably Spanish because it comes naturally to me. I enjoy confusing my friends when I speak Spanish to them because they have no idea what I’m saying. My favorite teacher would have to be Mrs. Reynolds because of the great Christlike attitude she has and because she is such a funny person,” said Haynes.
Also involved in National Honor Society, ROC (Reaching Out Club), Worship and Praise
Team, and is a member of the track team competing in the 4×800, 1600 and 3200 meter runs.
Haynes said his father has been a big influence in his life.
“My dad has been the biggest influence in my life. He daily strives to serve the Lord in everything he does and encourages me to do the same. He faithfully leads our family in according to God’s and makes sacrifices for us that will leave a lifelong impact on me as a believer,” said Haynes. “I want my class to be remembered for the Christlike way we treated each other and how we tried our best to honor God in all our pursuits, whether they be athletic or academic.”
