Raider grads lead the way for cross country

Cross country runner Brandon Raleigh has consistently competed at a level higher than expected this season. The Saints freshman has been Mt. Hood’s frontrunner this year on the course, the team’s top finisher in all six meets.

“I like it and I’m good at it,” said Raleigh. “Usually when you’re good at something, you keep doing it.”

Raleigh attended nearby Reynolds High School and graduated last spring. “I ran all four years there,” he said. “My older brother talked me into joining. So, I just kept at it.”

In his senior year, he set a Reynolds school record for the 3k steeplechase event, which includes hurdling and water hazards.

To date, he has finished first for Mt. Hood in every meet this season. His best time came in Charles Bowles invitation in Salem, where he covered the 8-kilometer course in 26 minutes, 23 seconds (26:23.45).

Raleigh has been battling a calf injury the last couple of weeks, but says he’s been happy with the season and his goal is a new personal record by season’s end next month.

“I want to place top seven in the NWAACC championships and get my time under 26 minutes,” he said.

Away from running, Raleigh said he enjoys writing and sees it as a future. He hopes to earn a transfer degree and then to pursue a sports journalism career. He wants to find a university with a good journalism program where he can continue to run.

“I love sports. I’ve been involved with sports my whole life. It would be pretty cool to work at ESPN and be an analyst,” he said.

Raleigh said he is a big Portland Trail Blazers fan. “I’m excited to see what they do this season. They have made some good acquisitions this summer and I expect them to be better than last season, he said.

He listed basketball icon Michael Jordan and Oregon running legend Steve Prefontaine as his favorite athletes.

“Jordan was the kind of player that would do anything to win and I like that,” Raleigh said. “Prefontaine was gutsy and he put his sweat and blood into everything he did.”

In his spare time, Raleigh likes to hang out with friends and play basketball. He also works part-time at Levi’s and Toys “R” Us outlets.

This season, Raleigh gives Saints cross country head coach Matt Hart credit for being a good mentor. “He’s a funny guy and he knows what he’s talking about,” Raleigh said. “He is knowledgeable. He can be intense at times, but he’s a good guy.”

Saturday morning, the Saints travel to Clackamas Community College for the Southern Region championships. Raleigh will be seeking another peak performance.

“I want to go into the race and run without any regrets,” he said. “I want to help my team and prove that we are a force to be reckoned with.”