O n any given day this past summer except on Sunday, Monroe County Junior Isaac Roddy would take to the streets. Regardless of the temperature, Roddy has his routine and planned on sticking with his 45 to 60 miles a week base training. Coach Murray "I would be here at work during the summer and I would see Isaac running by the school and around the school everyday. Some days it would in the high 90's with the heat index reaching 100, but you could set your watch to his running routine everyday".

What got Isaac interested in cross country was a suggestion by his mother to try the sport out. "She told me one day to give it a try, so I did and I love the sport today" said Isaac.

With only two years of Cross Country experience Roddy has come out of nowhere to be considered on of the top runners in the region. Isaac's motivation and drive comes from his desire to go to college, get a good education and succeed in life. "That's why I run and train so hard, so I can better myself. I give a lot of credit to Coach Pettit, Coach Stewart and my cross country coach Ms. Nuchols for inspiring me to be the best that I can be" said Isaac.

Isaac goes out every race thinking he will win it. "If you don't believe that you can win then there is no reason to run. That's why I train as hard as I do" said Isaac.

As a junior Isaac has set his sights on doing will at the region meet and then having a good race at the state meet. As a senior he plans on making a run at the state championship and putting himself in a position to earn a college scholarship.

Coach Nuchols said, "Isaac is a phenomenal athlete. His work ethic is great and he is such a competitive athlete almost to a point where he is to hard on himself. He is only a junior, so he will continue to get better. He is so focused on getting a college scholarship, I told him to just keep his head on straight and get good grades, which he has. Isaac can achieve anything he wants because he is that motivated. He is on the right road, but I am not sure Isaac knows how good he really is."

Isaac's advise to kids they may want to try cross country. This sport is great, but to be good at it you cannot harm your body. You cannot smoke, drink, or anything like that. Just get out there and run and have fun.