Cross country season is up and running, and senior Robert Ashurst from Derby High School is competing for the last season as a Panther. Ashurst is focusing this season on improving. “I’m focused on bettering myself in cross country for college cross country, and I want to make state this year. I also want to better my teammates too by leading them and encouraging them.”
Ashurst enjoys spending time with teammates and looks forward to the cross country meets the most. “It’s always fun to go to and the cross country team is always fun to be around and run with.”
Making varsity last year was an accomplishment Ashurst was proud of as well as setting personal records throughout the season. Ashurst saw a lot of time improvement during last year’s season and made it into the 18’s, but with summer cross country training leading into the this year’s season, hopefully Ashurst will see more improvements as the season progresses.
The college Ashurst would like to attend after graduation this spring is Ozark Christian College. With this, Ashurst is deciding between two career paths. One is counseling and then eventually mortuary science. The second path would be theology with study in criminal justice.
In addition to cross country, Ashurst keeps a busy schedule. Ashurst is an Eagle Scout and an active member of the church. At the high school, Ashurst is on Student Council as senior vice president, in National Honor Society, participates in swim team, and a student leader in Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
