Josephson earns spot in state cross country meet
Fitness man Brad Gillingham told Jared Josephson this would be his, "Day of Destiny."
"He's told me to always keep going, no matter how I feel," said Josephson.
On Thursday at Luverne, Josephson indeed ran right into his "Day of Destiny," finished 13th over all amongst 146 runners and ran right into the state cross country meet.
"I got so I wanted to give up — but I kept going." He thought about Gillingham and his advice of, "Just keep going."
And Gillingham was there, an injured toe and all and helped cheered on the young Josephson.
Once a Minneota football player in a town that thrives on football, Josephson left the sport and his friends behind and took off running.
"Football wasn't my sport. I just love running," he said.
He admits, 'It was hard to leave, but I figured I should be running."
While Mike Kvaal of Lac qui Parle Valley led his team to the state tournament with a run of 16:49.4, Josephson led all Canby-Minneota runners and finish in 17:20.10. Lac qui Parle Valley won the meet, Redwood Valley was second and both will advance to the state tournament. Canby-Minneota came in fifth with a score of 158. Lac qui Parle Valley had 31.
But for Josephson, it was a success. He believes it all came about because his parents like to run and he's received a lot of support from Diane and Emily Gillingham and Brad Gillingham, who has helped with weight lifting. "He's gotten me to run faster," said Josephson.
Josephson, who used to run back in the back for Canby-Minneota, shaved over a minute off his time and passed teammate Jalyn Ufkin, who was C-M's early-season leader.
So what's been the different.
"I'm just eating better. I started to eart healthier. Now he thrives on smoothies, salads and fruits. With the better diet has come increased energy."
"I think he's really enjoying it," said Coach Allyson Pesek.
She added, "Jared has a really strong time," and she acknowledge how hard he's work to earn a sport in the state.
Section 3A, in addition to sending two teams to state, sends the next eight kids that are NOT part of a team going to state. That meant Justin Clarke of Murray County Central; Mitchell Buerkle of Springfield; Rory Shakelford of Yellow Medicine East; Dalton Piotter of Mountain Lake/Comfrey; Dalton DeSoillar of Luverne, Josephson; Brayden Tofteland of Luverne and Ryan Blomgren of Mountain Lake earned a spot at the state.
Canby-Minneota's Blake Stoks finished in 20th place; Ufkin in 25th; Alexander Full in 43rth and Tristan Bierschenk in 57th to round out the top five runners.
Oh, by the way, on Saturday you'll see Josephson along the sideline at the Minneota vs. Dawson-Boyd football game.
He may have given up his helmet for a pair of running shoes, but he's still there, taking stats and helping the football team.
And all is well.