A runner from Green River High School will return to some familiar surroundings once he starts classes at Montana State University-Northern, this fall.
Curtis Westenskow signed a letter of intent to join the university’s cross country team Friday and plans to run distance events as a MSU-N Polar Bear. For the Westenskow family, Curtis’ signing signifies a return to MSU-N. Westenskow’s grandfather taught foreign languages at the campus in Havre, Mont. and members of his family still reside in the area. Westenskow is also familiar with a few of the courses the cross country team will compete at, having competed on those same tracks while running as a freshman in Montana. Westenskow said the tracks the university competes at are located throughout Montana, with a few located in Idaho.
The cross country program at MSU-N is a newer addition to the school’s athletics program, with the team competing in its first season in 2015. Curtis’ father, Mark, said the opportunity to work in a developing program is one of the reasons he decided to sign with MSU-N.
Coach Steve Boyd said Westenskow has worked hard and made himself an important part of the teams he’s competed with.
Boyd also said he has become of the team leaders since starting with the cross county and track teams two years ago, when he moved to Green River as a sophomore.
“He’s been an outstanding role model,” Boyd said.
Westenskow isn’t the quickest runner, but enjoys distance running.
While at MSU-N, Westenskow will compete in the 8K and 10K events. A 10K race equates to a distance of 6.2 miles. H
e said distance running becomes a strategic exercise for him as he has to plan his moves before overtaking runners and moving up in the race.
“I’ll run anyone down, I’m just not the fastest,” Westenskow said.
Westenskow has competed in track throughout his high school years. He was a thrower for track teams in middle school, but initially thought he would play football or golf in high school.
He said he surprised the track coach when he decided to become a runner in his freshman year, saying the coach didn’t expect him to choose track over football.
Four years later, Westenskow said he made the right choice that day.
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