When coaches talk about Republic runner Ryan Way, one theme keeps popping up.
“One thing we talk about in track all the time is you’re going to get out of track exactly what you put into it,” says track coach Steve Forbis. “He’s one of those kids who goes out, he works hard, he is driven to do well, to have success, and to go on to the next level. That work ethic is something that I definitely appreciate.”
“I’ve known him since junior high, and he is extremely, extremely motivated for all the years that I’ve watched him run, he has always had huge goals,” says cross country coach Christie Bishop.
“In the 27 years I’ve been in education, he’s one of those top-flight people,” says athletic director Greg Garton. “He made himself an athlete and put in the time. When a lot of kids go home, I see him out here running.”
All the work has paid off for Way, who has signed to compete in track and cross country at Drury University next year. He says being self-motivated is just a fact of life if you’re going to pursue competitive running.
“Running is one of those sports that you have to be self-motivated to be able to do well. You can’t just run six months out of the year, which is what the two seasons are,” he says. “If you want to be good, you just know that’s what you have to do. You have to run year-round.”
In his time at Republic, Way has earned conference championships, district championships, and sectional championships in track and field. He’s qualified for state all four years in cross-country, and three years in track-and-field, as he begins his final season this spring. He also has earned an all-state designation twice in cross country, once in Class 3 and once in Class 4.
He says his competitiveness comes from his entire family.
“Both my parents are very competitive. In our family, we like to try and be the best…in everything we do, whether it’s school (or) sports,” he says. “My brother is actually musically inclined, so it’s not all about the sports. We try to be the best that we can in everything.”
