Denton Sluder
MALE
Denton Sluder // Columbus North senior cross-country runner
Sluder finished 13th in Saturday’s state finals to earn All-State honors and help lead the Bull Dogs to the team title.
His performance last week: “I loved it. I was 13th, and we won the state title, so there’s nothing to complain about.”
Do you do anything special to prepare? “I just make sure I get a good night’s sleep, eat a good dinner and hydrate well.”
Favorite drink: “Gatorade or Body Armor”
Favorite food: “Steak”
Favorite class: “I really like all my business classes.”
Favorite sports team: “I really like the Yankees”
Favorite athlete: “(Olympic runner) Cole Hocker”
Role model: “My dad (North coach Rick Sluder)”
Best advice: “Just keep with it. You’re going to have some setbacks, but just don’t let those setbacks set you that for back. Every single chance is an opportunity, and take it.’’
Athletics goal: “For this track season, I think a good goal is to make state and get All-State.”
If you could travel anywhere: “Colorado, because I love the mountains, and I love the altitude and I love the scenery and being outdoors.”
FEMALE
Tristan Works // Columbus North junior cross-country runner
Tristan Works
Works finished 68th in Saturday’s state finals to lead the Bull Dogs to a 12th-place team finish.
Her performance last week: “I felt really good for most of the race and tried to stay confident. The last 200 meters were really tough, but I gave it everything I had, and I’m proud of how I competed.”
Do you do anything special to prepare? “I just stay in the same routine, which is eating good food the night before and making sure I am up early enough to get my body going.”
Favorite drink: “I like root beer and water and Liquid IV”
Favorite food: “Cheeseburgers.”
Favorite class: “I like my architecture class.”
Favorite sports team: “I think the Indiana football team is doing really good, and I like watching them.”
Favorite athlete: “I like to watch (former Florida and Olympic runner) Parker Valby.”
Role model: “My parents (Klint and Tania Works) and siblings (Jace, Knydal, Kinsey Works).”
Best advice: “Just be confident in every race and trust in the process.”
Athletics goal: “For next year, I want to get a PR and maybe go sub-18.”
If you could travel anywhere: “I’ve always felt Hawaii would be a fun place to go.”
