Thill prepares to cross finish line of distinguished high school career - Senior Spotlight

Some races end with a finish line stretched across the graduation stage. For others, the sprint becomes a marathon as the run continues well into the collegiate realm. Such is the case for senior John Thill as he hopes to be championship-bound in both cross country and track in his final high school campaign before moving on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, continuing his career with these sports.

“He definitely has what it takes to move on to the next level,” senior and cross country and track teammate Nick Vey said. “He’s still getting faster and is finishing with college level times, which gives him a ton of potential as a runner.”

Thill feels blessed to be able to compete in such a prestigious conference as the FVA because the competition pushes him to be better.

“Being able to compete with the best of the best runners in the whole state is something that can’t be replaced in my mind,” he said. 

Thill’s teammates see him as a great competitor as he is very committed to running and continues to work hard at getting better.

“He trains year round and is very dedicated to what he does,” Vey said. “I think his biggest strength is being able to have a good mindset going into any meet, no matter the conditions.”

Thill believes an “industrious mentality” has proven a major contribution to his success, but he also credits his coaches for pushing him everyday during practice.

“As a freshman he came in, not necessarily weak but young, and didn’t grow into his body yet,” track coach Brett Hartman said. “Over the years he has put in more and more miles and gotten smarter about listening to his body and responding to when he needs to take time off versus when he can go hard. He has put in enough time and effort to build some of that strength that he lacked freshman year, and his times definitely show it.”

While the future is not entirely clear, Thill doesn’t want to stop after his running days are over and would like to be involved in a different capacity.

“I want to be a coach on the side of my main job to pass on my knowledge of running and leadership to the youth,” he said.

Vey sees this as a perfect match.. 

“I think he would be a really great coach and has shown great leadership throughout his career and always finds a way to keep the team motivated,” he said.

Thill’s competitiveness has also helped build his leadership.

“I admire his insane dedication to running,” junior and cross country track  teammate Elijah Geffers said. “John works crazy hard and his competitive nature makes practice a lot more fun, and in retrospect, has helped me become a better runner.”

Overall, Thill pursues personal gain over recognition. Running requires a strong mindset to constantly push through one’s endurance.

“Cross country challenges a person’s mental and physical health tremendously unlike any other,” he said. 

Hartman believes that the attitude of a runner comes with coaching, but also innately as one develops and trains for long distance running.

“They have to have a competitive mindset but also be fairly relaxed,” he said. “A distance runner has to have a more strategic mentality.”

As he enters his final season as a Wildcat, Thill knows he will miss his high school experience.

“The running season has not been nearly the same compared to pre-Covid seasons,” Thill said. “Bus rides to and from meets, hanging out with my friends, and spaghetti dinners the day before a meet, those were the best memories of cross country and track throughout all of high school.”

Along with all the memories, these sports have allowed Thill to stay focused and keep his eyes on the prize. 

“My determination, work ethic, and goals are what drive me to be the best runner and person I can be during this season,” Thill said. “Dream big and make high goals that are still realistic.”

By John Vandenheuvel

Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue VII

April 30th, 2021