Editor’s note: This is a regular feature profiling senior athletes at Bryant High School.
Derek Vos
NAME: Derek Vos
PARENTS’ NAMES: Roger and Lisa Vos
SIBLINGS (names, ages): Jenna, 14 and Rachel, 18
FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: Science, in particular Anatomy
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? I like to write music and hang out with my friends when I have the time
FAVORITE FOOD: Spaghetti
FAVORITE MUSIC ARTIST OR GROUP: Seether
FAVORITE MOVIE: The Shawshank Redemption
FAVORITE TV SHOW: True Detective
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A KID? Rescue Heroes were by far my favorite
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? I plan on attending university and studying to become a radiation oncologist
OTHER THAN YOUR PARENTS, WHO HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR LIFE? HOW HAVE THEY INFLUECED YOU? My teachers have always played an important role in my life. Whether it’s in or out of the classroom, I know that they will always be there for me to help me with whatever I’m struggling with. They have also influenced me to try my best in everything that I do, no matter how inconsequential it may seem.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT CROSS COUNTRY: The atmosphere of the team and the idea that no matter what skill level you are, we’re all still one team. That’s something not every sport has.
WHAT’S YOUR APPROACH TO A RACE (Strategy/Preparation)? Warm up and Stretch properly and take my mind off of it, rather than stress about what may happen. I find that the more I worry about a race, the worse I do, so I will be joking around all the way up until the gun goes off.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SEASON SO FAR? I think we’ve really been tested this season, with losing some of our top runners from last year and having other injured runners. I think I speak for all the seniors when I say that we are working to make this final season we have together one of the best, and that’s something I’ve really enjoyed doing.
WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT TO THE SEASON? Definitely attending the Chili Pepper Festival for the first time was a great experience and it makes me sad that I’ll only get to compete in it once.
AFTER YOU’RE THROUGH RUNNING CROSS COUNTRY AT BHS, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’LL REMEMBER MOST FONDLY ABOUT IT? I think I will remember the bond that we as a team have. My closest friends I’ve made since moving here in 10th grade have been from the cross country team and I will cherish the memories that we made together for the rest of my life.
