Runner gives it his all, on and off the track
The rhythm of footsteps vibrates up his legs into his inner ear. Strong breaths cause his chest cavity to rise and fall as his arms pump back and forth, propelling him farther, faster. Sweat falls from the top of his head down the side of his cheek and falls off his chin.
Staying positive as a senior student-athlete is not a problem for Daniel Howell. Even though he said he feels there is improvement to be made, he knows how to look up and plow forward.
This will be the cross-country runner’s final year at USU, and he is determined to let nothing slow him down, whether in the classroom or on the track. Just last week he had his wisdom teeth removed.
“(It’s) a little more relaxing sometimes,” Howell said about the medical break. “It’s kind of annoying when you’re not finishing the workout.”
However, he is beginning to return to his regular regimen, because, even after just a couple of days off, he said he was ready to “get back into it.”
The Manti native is not one to travel down the beaten path according to one of his teammates. Fellow runner Brian McKenna said Howell is a hard-working leader.
“Dan’s just always positive,” Mckenna said. “It really helps us to be more stable as we approach hard workouts and hard races.”
The fact Howell is a well-liked team member is manifested often just before practice, as teammates regularly walk back to say “Hello” and pat him on the back.
While Howell is a strong source of leadership and talent on the team, McKenna said it is also nice to have him around because it keeps things interesting. He said one way Howell helps to keep his teammates motivated and positive is by entertaining them during practice and being the “trail guide” on runs.
“He can name any bird or tree,” McKenna said. “We’re outside three quarters of the year, so his teaching really makes things more entertaining.”
The reason for Howell’s extensive knowledge about all things flora, fauna and fowl has to do with his field of study. He is dual majoring in wildlife science and range/forestry. He has finished his wildlife degree and should be done with the other by the end of the spring 2012 semester.
“I’ll be a wildlife biologist,” he said with a laugh, “somewhere.”
Howell said academics are on the up and up, but regarding his competitions, he said he’s been all right but not wonderful.
“If I knew exactly why (it’s not wonderful), I’d fix it,” Howell said. “I’m saying this for me, individually. As a team I think we’re doing pretty well.”
The goal for the team and for Howell is to make it to the NCAA championship meet, he said. This means Howell will have to place well in the NCAA Regional meet in the next three weeks in order to qualify.
“I’m not feeling ready yet, but no matter what, it’s going to be fun,” Howell said.
When it comes to the team, seeing as it is so far into the season, maintaining and staying consistent is the most important thing, Howell said.
“There’ve been no injuries for the major guys,” McKenna said. “Dan’s been improving every race — everybody else has been consistent.”
In reference to Howell’s personal progression, McKenna has seen it all since the beginning.
“I’ve known him since he became an Aggie,” McKenna said. “Dan and I are really good friends.”
Howell has not only kept running for the USU cross-country team. Even though he doesn’t race too often, he said he enjoys running one or two 5-kilometer races during the summer.
“I really like half-marathons, I think those are a real fun distance,” he said. “They’re just fun runs for me.”
With Howell’s talent and with graduation coming soon, the question arises: Is running something he’ll do in the future?
“I will definitely still run,” Howell said, specifically mentioning road races. “Maybe a marathon here or there.”
Even in road races, he said he won’t turn the heat down on his speed.
“I’ll still be competitive,” Howell said. “I’ll have a hard time not trying to win them.”
He’s ready to keep running, despite what happens during his final season, he said.
“It won’t be as serious for me,” he said. “Running races will just be a fun hobby on the side.”
– mandy.m.morgan@aggiemail.usu.edu