Determination, agility, and speed are all hallmarks of a strong runner, each widely present in cross country star and Senior Captain Caden Hicks.
Hicks started running at a very young age. He said, “I joined my elementary school’s running club halfway through fourth grade. I had done it before but very inconsistently, and I continued running with them through fifth grade,” said Hicks. In fifth grade, he also received the first of many awards. “Halfway through the year I realized I was getting close to 100 miles in total and that became my goal, and in fifth grade I became the only person to ever run more than 100 miles [in school history], getting to 125,” he added.
He continued running in middle school as a member of the Standley Running Club: “By high school it was just a natural decision to keep running, and I soon learned through our first few workouts that I was actually pretty fast,” stated Hicks. Since joining UC High’s Cross Country Team, he has continued to improve immensely.
Hicks recalled a race that really stood out to him: “My freshman year at League Finals, I had one of my best races ever, where I ran 17:05 [his time for the 3.11 mile race], placing twelfth and breaking our school’s freshman record.” He ended up winning the Western League Outstanding Freshman Award.
Hicks has received many accolades throughout his high school career while being on both the cross country and track team. He said, “My junior year I was the fastest again, winning the Outstanding Junior Award and I placed second [in the League finals 3.11 mile race]. At the school, I was MVP last year in cross country, and MVP for distance in track earlier this year when I was a junior.”
Teammate Nicholas Brantuas said, “Being on the team with Caden is quite the honor because of his exceptional speed, and I really admire his focus and determination for the sport.”
He takes the sport very seriously but continues to have fun with it. “Caden is a smart and funny guy who loves to explore many canyon trails during practice, and always runs with a stick in his hand,” said Brantuas. “He can be serious at times and very goofy at others and he’s always so adventurous on his runs, always wanting to try out new paths and picking up sticks along the way,” said Lewis Mussa.
Hicks replied, “Oh yeah, I guess I do do that a lot. I do it more during races, if I can remember to pick one up beforehand. I kind of like being able to hold something, and oftentimes I just do it unintentionally.” He added, “It gives me something to do while running, and at this point it’s just kind of a joke in our league. Whenever I forget to carry one, my Point Loma friends will make a big deal about it for fun.”
“My favorite part about cross country is for sure the amazing sportsmanship and making friends with people from other schools. You could be in the hardest race against another person for like three miles, constantly battling with them and ‘hating their guts,’ but after the finish line you’re the best of friends,” said Hicks.
The races are always the most rewarding part of the sport, “I used to hate them but now, especially since I’m a senior, races to me are just super fun opportunities to talk to my friends from other teams and set great personal records. Do I still kind of hate them during and the day before the race? Yes, but the joy afterwards and the people just make it an awesome experience,” he said.
His dedication to the sport is one of his most admirable qualities. Senior Shemsy Lewis Mussa said, “I admire how driven he is. He has a fierce mindset and is incredibly hard-working.” Hicks said, “I honestly can’t remember a time that I have ever missed a team practice since freshman year. When we’re running 80-mile weeks, I’ll always run in the morning before school when it’s necessary and when we need two runs that day.”
Brantuas said, “He is a great leader and role model for the team. Without him, the team wouldn’t be close to as good as it is right now, and the vibe would definitely feel off.”