College Commits: Gage Kuhlenbeck
Photos submitted by Kuhlenbeck
Izzy Pack
Gage Kuhlenbeck, currently a senior at Hamilton, has been running cross country for seven years. He recently committed to running for Black Hills State University.
Kuhlenbeck’s teammate, senior Noah Bilstad, says about him: “Gage is a great leader and teammate always looking for areas to improve. You could see his determination to be the best when he came into the program as a freshman and he would compete with the juniors and seniors for a varsity spot. I look forward to seeing how far he can take his running on the college scene and beyond!”
One of his current high school coaches, Coach Loferski, also says about Kuhlenbeck, "Gage's commitment to the sport of cross country, his teammates, and becoming the best runner he can be individually is something many Hamilton runners can aspire to replicate. He knows that his training, his sleep, and his nutrition all play a role in maximizing his performance. Gage has shown that his dedication to those things has led him to improve each year. As a three-time Hamilton cross country team MVP, the 6th fastest runner to ever come through our school, and a great teammate who leads by example, Gage will be missed but we wish him continued success at Black Hills State University."
Read more to hear from Kuhlenbeck:
How long have you been running?
I have been running since 6th grade.
What is your favorite memory from cross country?
My favorite memory is making it to State for the first time my sophomore year.
What do you think is your favorite/best cross country/ running goal you've accomplished?
My best cross country goal I’ve accomplished is being a 3x State qualifier, and being awarded All-State my senior year. Also being a 3x MVP in cross country for Hamilton, which no one has ever done in Hamilton’s history until now. Lastly, being nominated twice for Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year.
What will you miss most about running for Hamilton?
I will miss the coaches and representing Ham House. But most importantly, I will miss the brotherhood of this team and how much each of us would push each other to be better.
How has cross country impacted your life?
Cross country has impacted my life by giving me an escape and opportunity from my regular everyday life. Cross country is an escape for me because it relieves all stress for me and lets me focus on something I love. Also, it’s an opportunity because it provides me with chances to become my best self and prove that I can push myself through hell and back to achieve what I want. Cross country is not just a sport for me—it’s a way I can show people and show myself that I can achieve anything I put my mind to.
What is one lesson you've learned from cross country?
One lesson I learned is if you want to get faster you have to be willing to run yourself into pain and become comfortable with feeling that pain and feeling like you are on the verge of shutting down.
What was the recruitment process like for you?
The recruitment process was actually super easy! I reached out to a lot of schools I had interest in and talked to most of them and took multiple official visits. The recruitment process was pretty enjoyable for me.
What is one thing that a coach has told you that you will carry into running in college?
One thing my coach told me that will stick with me into college running is, “Trust the process; everything will work out.”
What advice do you have for younger runners?
My advice for younger runners is to not focus on your times and don’t focus on what other people are doing. Focus on yourself, focus on your results, focus on your training, not anyone else's, and try to place as high as you can in a race. The time will come with it.
What are you most excited about next year running for Black Hill State?
I’m most excited to be running out west in the mountains everyday. Also, being able to run with my brother and finally being teammates.
Is there anyone you’d like to give a positive shoutout to who has been instrumental in your journey?
I would like to give a shoutout to my whole cross country team. I want to say thank you to the boys’ cross country team for always being there for me and always pushing me to be my best, and coming out day after day to show their dedication to the team even despite bad weather or waking up at 5:30 am for summer practices. I would also like to say thank you to the girls’ cross country team for always coming out after their races and cheering on the boys’ team; we appreciate all of you for doing that. Lastly, I would like to say thank you to my coaches and my brother who have shaped me into the runner I am today and made everything possible for me.
