Feature Photo By: Alison Manciu – Luke Sundburg runs towards the finish line trying to accomplish his goals. Sundberg is the only Rangeview runner to qualify for state.

Sophomore Luke Sundberg is going strong as he now advances to the Cross Country 5A State Championship. Just a week earlier, this standout helped his team achieve the EMAC Boys Championship.    

On October 19th, the Cross Country team went to its region three meet and Sundberg set a personal best of 16 minutes and 23 seconds, helping him qualify in a very competitive region.  

“It didn’t start off the way that I wanted but got a lot better throughout the season,” said Sundberg.

While Luke went through the season, he worked harder and harder every day to get to the state championship, he said.

Head Cross Country Coach Ms. Manciu said, “At practice, he would run a lot more than told him and actually to the point I would get mad.”

Most friends and teammates of Luke say that his success this season has not surprised them; Sundberg is definitely the person that tries to work harder for things than anyone else and doesn’t give up, they said.

Sophomore Andee Lee, one of Sundberg’s close friends, seems to love the person that Luke is. She said, “I’ve known Luke since 6th grade, he is a very ambitious person and never gives up and always tries for what he wants.”

Sundberg will compete at State Saturday at 9:20 a.m. at Norris Penrose Events Center and is setting big goals.

“If it’s not the best race, it’s OK,” Luke said. “I’m still an underclassman, but I do want to be the first sophomore to come in.”

Luke says he is looking forward to his race tomorrow, and many believe that he definitely deserves success. .

“He deserves every accolade he has gotten,” Manciu said.