When athletes finish their college eligibility, many move away
from the sports that they competed in. Running is the exception as
former Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders continue to run both
competitively and recreationally after completing their
eligibility.
Shawn Flanagan, who is the architect behind the cross country
and track programs, has developed champions in both sports. But in
the 10 plus years as head coach for the Islanders, Flanagan has
helped nurture and direct his athletes love for running even after
their collegiate careers end.
"Running is not something that you can get a person to love,
they love it already or at least feel fondly about it before they
get to me," said Flanagan "They have had success at it and I try to
create an environment where they can continue to have success at
it."
Former runners still apply the lessons learned from their
college coach as Alamar Cavada, Shadrack Songok and Leeann Jimenez
still swear by Flanagan's methods.
Cavada, who was one of the first signees for the cross country
and track team, wanted to run for Flanagan from an early age after
attending his running camps in Austin at the University of Texas.
While in school she ran the Steeplechase, 1500m, 800m, occasionally
the 5000m and the mile relay while also competing in cross
country.
Following graduation she joined the Corpus Christi Roadrunners
and trains with group called the AJ group, named for their pre-run
meeting spot, Agua Java. She qualified for the Boston Marathon
running at the Chevron Marathon in Houston Texas. In Feb. 2010,
she ran her first ultra marathon at Rocky Raccoon, a 50 mile race
consisting of three loops of 16.7 miles.
"Coach Flanagan continues to motivate me to run, asking about my
races, and answering any questions that I have. He also joins us
on some of our weekend runs at Agua Java," said Cavada "I look up
to him and thank him for taking a chance with me 11 years ago.
"I wouldn't have done the things I have without his instruction
and sharing his enthusiasm of running with me."
Songok, who won national championships during his time on the
Island, has continued to run while helping out the Islanders as a
graduate assistant for the cross country and track teams.
His events for the indoor season were the mile, 3000m and the
5000m and the 1500m, 5000m and 10000m for the outdoor season while
participating in cross country as well. He still trains throughout
most of the year and has competed in some road races since
finishing his eligibility.
So far he's run three half-marathons, one last year and two
early this year, and four 10K road races. He is planning on
competing in more road races this coming fall and hopes to run a
few track races next outdoor season.
"The reason I chose running before and even now is because it's
what I enjoy, I love the fun of competition in the races. I also
feel like I have a God given talent and so I still want to keep
pursuing it because you never know what new doors in life it might
open ," said Songok "I want to be a professional runner some day
after school and so I have to stay fit and in good shape. It's also
because of the great mentoring from Coach Flanagan that I still
want to pursue professional running after school.
"He has so much belief in my capabilities in this sport and that
gives me more confidence to go for it!"
Another original Islander that continued to run after her days
of competition were over is Jimenez, who runs to keep her
competitive juices going.
While an athlete she was another long distance runner running
the 5000m and 10000m during her time on campus in the early days of
the program. Currently she runs 5000m and half marathons to stay
competitive plus active.
"I choose to run because of the purpose of competing, now that I
am getting older there are not as many things out there to satisfy
my competitive fix," said Jimenez "It's relaxing for me to enjoy
the outdoor scene and listen to my iPod when I run."
Following each runners career at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Cavada, Songok and Jimenez continue to apply lessons learned from
coach Flanagan to both running and life.
