Upcoming Event: Men's Cross Country versus Ed Holloway Classic on October 17, 2025 at 6 p.m.
6 p.m.
Men's Cross Country
vs. Ed Holloway Classic
Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Get To Know Senior Samuel Henery
2/24/2025 1:14:00 PM | Men's Cross Country
Q: How did you get started running cross country?
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A: In middle school, I just liked running for fun. I was already playing soccer and I needed something else to do so I started cross country. My teammates and how much fun running was is what made me originally stick with the sport. Up until I got into college, I wanted to stop cross country. From middle school to college, I thought about stopping and my parents would convince me to do one more year and now I am in my fourth year in college.
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Q: What makes cross country so special compared to other sports?
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A: In every sport, you use your entire body, but running is such a simple thing. You get up and move your legs, but for runners all around the world they take it to the highest level. You are taking this simple thing and taking your body to the max with it. In all of these other sports, there are technical aspects like in soccer or basketball, but running is so simple but still so in depth.
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Q: What challenges have you faced in such an individual sport?
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A: Not thinking you are good enough is a big one. There is always someone better than you, especially at the Division I level. I know I am not the greatest and there are people better than me. With that said, why would I worry about someone in another state that is way ahead of me? Why not worry about beating the person directly in front of me, or about beating myself? I may not ever be the best there is, but I want to be the best that I can be. My teammates help me a lot in this aspect. The guys who show up are the ones who want to be there and want to get better. I want the same thing, so I can't push them to be better if I am not willing to do the same work, and vice versa. We expect the most out of each other.
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Q: How would you describe your time at your previous school, Seminole State College?
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A: It was weird; when I went there, we didn't have a coach, so the athletic director coached us. We also had about eight guys. It was a fun season and I made good progress, but I didn't make massive strides. When I was going to run my second year, that is when a difference was made. We got a coach who was a great addition. During that time, I made my biggest strides, which allowed me to come to Florida Atlantic. That was the biggest leap in my running career in such a short time.
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Q: Were you always planning on running at a division one school after Seminole State College?
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A: I was originally just seeing where those first two years took me, and when I decided I wanted to run more, I started looking at Division II schools. I thought my times were faster than Division III but not fast enough for Division I, so I aimed for DII. I did not think I would end up at a DI school, but Coach (Alex) Smolka got in contact with me. I had an opportunity at FAU, so I figured why not take the opportunity to race even faster people?
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Q: What has been your most memorable race or moment from your cross country career?
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A: Last year when we were at conference in North Carolina, I wanted to beat our other top runner. Throughout the entire race, I felt the greatest I had felt all season. He still beat me, but we both made massive PRs and we both made records for the school. It was great and everyone on the team did amazing that day. This year, our third race at Tallahassee, I got first for the team and finally beat our other top runner, which was a long time coming. It wasn't that I specifically beat him, but showing myself that I could do it.
ÂGallery: (2-24-2025) Samuel Henery
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A: In middle school, I just liked running for fun. I was already playing soccer and I needed something else to do so I started cross country. My teammates and how much fun running was is what made me originally stick with the sport. Up until I got into college, I wanted to stop cross country. From middle school to college, I thought about stopping and my parents would convince me to do one more year and now I am in my fourth year in college.
Â
Q: What makes cross country so special compared to other sports?
Â
A: In every sport, you use your entire body, but running is such a simple thing. You get up and move your legs, but for runners all around the world they take it to the highest level. You are taking this simple thing and taking your body to the max with it. In all of these other sports, there are technical aspects like in soccer or basketball, but running is so simple but still so in depth.
Â
Q: What challenges have you faced in such an individual sport?
Â
A: Not thinking you are good enough is a big one. There is always someone better than you, especially at the Division I level. I know I am not the greatest and there are people better than me. With that said, why would I worry about someone in another state that is way ahead of me? Why not worry about beating the person directly in front of me, or about beating myself? I may not ever be the best there is, but I want to be the best that I can be. My teammates help me a lot in this aspect. The guys who show up are the ones who want to be there and want to get better. I want the same thing, so I can't push them to be better if I am not willing to do the same work, and vice versa. We expect the most out of each other.
Â
Q: How would you describe your time at your previous school, Seminole State College?
Â
A: It was weird; when I went there, we didn't have a coach, so the athletic director coached us. We also had about eight guys. It was a fun season and I made good progress, but I didn't make massive strides. When I was going to run my second year, that is when a difference was made. We got a coach who was a great addition. During that time, I made my biggest strides, which allowed me to come to Florida Atlantic. That was the biggest leap in my running career in such a short time.
Â
Q: Were you always planning on running at a division one school after Seminole State College?
Â
A: I was originally just seeing where those first two years took me, and when I decided I wanted to run more, I started looking at Division II schools. I thought my times were faster than Division III but not fast enough for Division I, so I aimed for DII. I did not think I would end up at a DI school, but Coach (Alex) Smolka got in contact with me. I had an opportunity at FAU, so I figured why not take the opportunity to race even faster people?
Â
Q: What has been your most memorable race or moment from your cross country career?
Â
A: Last year when we were at conference in North Carolina, I wanted to beat our other top runner. Throughout the entire race, I felt the greatest I had felt all season. He still beat me, but we both made massive PRs and we both made records for the school. It was great and everyone on the team did amazing that day. This year, our third race at Tallahassee, I got first for the team and finally beat our other top runner, which was a long time coming. It wasn't that I specifically beat him, but showing myself that I could do it.
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