Introducing C.J. Skok Valparaiso High School XC Senior

Christopher Skok, or better know as C.J. to his teammates and friends, is a senior at Valparaiso High School. C.J. has been on the high school Cross Country team this 2010 season. He chooses to run for Valparaiso High School Cross Country because, as he says. "It takes practice and hard work." C.J.'s favorite course to run is New Prairie. New Prairie is a nicely laid out course that is mostly flat and is good for setting a PR (personal record).

C.J.'s favorite thing from this season was running Culver. Culver is where C.J. also set his PR, it was 18:41. Culver is a fun meet for the team. There are 3 scheduled races for Valpo XC at The Culver Academy Invite; Varsity, Frosh/Soph (freshman and sophomore only) and Reserves. Because there are so many schools, boys and girls, running that day, Valpo makes a day of it, with parents bringing in food, setting up a tent, and then the team, parents and coaches are able to come together after all the races are completed for a picnic.

C.J.'s first 5k or road race was running the Popcorn Panic when he was in the 6th grade and he has been running ever since. I asked him if he ever thought he'd run the Chicago Marathon, he said "Yes, I would like to, maybe next year if I can". He takes running seriously. C.J. already ran a marathon, he ran the South Bend Marathon last year. Chicago will just be another one to try. "Let's go C.J."!

Before a race, C.J.'s favorite thing to eat is something from Fozoli's, he loves their bread sticks, he said "they're awesome". While training, C.J. prefers to run in cooler temperatures around 50 degrees.

Soon Cross Country will be ending, no more morning practice. "What will you do with your morning free?" I asked, C.J. said, "Sleep". When the season is over, C.J. said he would miss the commradery of the team he said "it's like being part of a family".

Don't look back, pursue your goals and never give up. Great job this year C.J. we are looking forward to seeing your results from the Chicago Marathon. "Keep us posted"!

Photo's include:

#1 C.J. Running at Culver
#2 New Prairie
#3 From the DAC Conference (L-R) Murray Banks (Junior), C.J.(Senior), Karl Rinkenberger (Senior), Corey Alfredson (Freshman), Evan Ouellette (Senior), Matt Erickson (Senior)