Men's Cross Country | September 15, 2022

Being a student comes with many challenges on its own. Being a student-athlete adds an even greater sense of responsibility and stress that can be difficult to manage. Collegiate athletics has been anything but easy for senior cross country runner, Riley Campbell. 
 
The North Charleston, S.C., native began his running career during his freshman year of high school. A friend urged him to try out for track, and that's when he realized he really enjoyed it. 
 
"I agreed, thinking I was pretty quick. I came out and was very slow at first. I didn't get fast until my senior year," said Campbell. 
 
For Campbell, this sport is something that leaves him with a feeling of satisfaction. Once he started, he never looked back. He stated, "Running makes me feel good. It makes me feel accomplished."
 
Campbell began his freshman year in 2019, being the first recruit of a team that had not been active since 1998. The revival of the program yielded a rough start due to a young team and inexperienced runners.
 
"I was the only one who actually came from high school into running in college, the rest used to be runners but hadn't run in years. I was all by myself every time I would run," Campbell said. Despite the rough beginnings, the team is going smooth a few years later thanks to the fully committed members and coach.
 
After a successful freshman season, Campbell underwent an intense knee injury. He broke his patella/kneecap partially in half. 
 
"I couldn't walk for three months," Campbell said. "I then went to crutches, then I switched to a cane and rehab."
 
The injury took place during a summer training session. As Campbell was crossing over a median during his usual route, he stumbled over an extension cord covered by pinestraw, presumably used to power Christmas lights which was left during the summer. 
 
"My shoe caught the top of it and I landed directly on my knee," recalled Campbell. In spite of the pain, he walked back to his car and later found it swelling, causing him to go to the Emergency Room the next day. 
 
Being in between coaches during the injuries was tough to keep himself motivated, causing him to not be in top running form. Since healing from his injury and gaining a new coach, Campbell took the summer to work and get back to where he was in just three months.
 
To be the runner he was before injury, consistency was key. "Run a lot, be consistent, eat healthy, get sleep. Just take care of myself," said Campbell. 
 
 
Before entering his first race of the season, Campbell was faced with nerves and excitement. "I'm very nervous. I am hoping to do better than I did my freshman year going into my first race," said Campbell.
 
He did just that. At the Augusta Jaguar Invitational, Campbell posted a time of 31:58.42 earning 32^nd place, beating his previous season opener time of 32:10.7.
 
Despite the pain that still lingers in his knee, he is prepared for his upcoming races. "It still can hurt a little bit but it is much easier to push through it and get over it," said Campbell. 
 
This year he is confident in where he is physically and mentally with the team around him. Campbell stated, "I feel better. I have other great teammates that I can run with who are pushing me to be better than I was, along with a really great coach." 
 
After graduation, Campbell hopes to find a school to get his masters and continue running with the two years of eligibility he has left.