Arete Prep Senior Nominated for The Arizona Republic’s Athlete of the Week
Arete Prep October 22, 2024 -
This week, Max Bruns, a senior at Arete Preparatory Academy, a Great Hearts academy in Gilbert, has been nominated for The Arizona Republic’s High School Boys’ Athlete of the Week for his remarkable cross-country performance. According to Athletic Director Todd Conklin, Bruns has long been a leader on and off the track, and his latest achievement reinforces his legacy at Arete Prep.
On Saturday, at the Eye of the Tiger Invitational at Marana High School, Bruns delivered an outstanding performance, finishing the 5,000-meter course in an incredible 15:28.40. “That time ranks him number 12 overall in the state of Arizona,” said Coach Greg Nickerson. “Max has been our team leader all season and his hard work ethic has established him as one of the top runners in the state.”
His first-place finish may have earned him the 12th-fastest time in the state, but what makes the win even more meaningful for Bruns is that he broke Arete Prep’s longstanding 5K record, previously set by Adam Whitehead from the Class of 2020, who now attends Dallas Baptist University.
“Max’s dedication to training and taking care of himself have him peaking at the right time, as the team runs in the D4 Sectional Meet on Wednesday at Crossroads Park in Gilbert,” shared Conklin. “Max will defend his ’23 sectional title on Wednesday. His leadership and drive have helped push and influence his teammates as well, who all [hit personal records] on Saturday in Tucson.”
“I just think about all the disappointments, all the work I put in, and just getting so close to the PR, and then not getting it when I wanted to… it took four years to get here. There were a lot of challenges, adversity, but I worked through it.” said Bruns, reflecting on the long road to his new personal record. Conklin added, “And perseverance!”
Bruns’ hard work and perseverance have clearly paid off, setting him up for success on and off the track. And now it’s time to help him earn the recognition he deserves. Vote for Max in The Arizona Republic’s High School Boys’ Athlete of the Week poll! Nominees are based on performances in AIA-sanctioned sports.
How to Cast Your Vote:
- Visit The Arizona Republic’s High School Athletes of the Week polls, Oct. 14-19 at azcentral.com.
- Scroll down to section titled, Vote: The Arizona Republic’s High School Boys’ Athlete of the Week, Oct. 14-19.
- Cast your vote by selecting Max Bruns, Arete Prep, cross-country, Sr. and click on the Vote button.
- Voting closes at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, so cast your vote now!
- Winners will be announced the next day on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic on Friday.
Let’s rally behind Bruns and show him that his hard work and dedication have paid off in more ways than one!
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