By Cristy Brusoe
UWRF Sports Information

Aside from running on the UW-River Falls cross country team, senior Scott Degner enjoys the outdoors, camping, golfing and ping-pong.

Originally from Osceola, Wis., Degner grew up with one older and younger sister. Degner's running career began in eighth grade after a playful competition with his mother.

"My Mom didn't think I would be that good [at running], so originally it was just to prove her wrong," Degner said.

Since that point, Degner was hooked on an opportunity to better himself in the many disciplines of life.

"I feel running turned me into a more driven, focused individual. It's given me life-long friends and brought me closer to God," Degner explained.

"Scott has been extremely dedicated to the team and the sport of
running," said Falcon Head Coach Keven Syverson. "He is very invested in making us a better program not just now but also for the future."

It is these life-long friends that Degner enjoys most about running on the cross country team at UWRF.

"Outside of cross country we all support each other in every aspect of our lives. Without this family, that's grown out of the experience, I don't think life would be the same without them," Degner said.

Outside of cross country, Degner is involved in Athlete Bible Study, IV and works at 3M as a tech aide. Degner is studying in hopes of becoming a high school physics teacher.

"After this year I want to take a year off and possibly do AmeriCorp or Bible school. After that, only God knows," Degner said.

Degner's greatest accomplishment has come in a second sport he competes in at UWRF, track & field. He was part of the Falcon team that broke the 4x800-meter relay school record at the Drake relays in 2008.

"Being able to have that opportunity to run at one of the most prestigious track meets in the nation and exceeding our own expectation was a pretty unique experience," Degner explained.

As for this year, Degner has higher expectations of himself and the cross country and track & field teams.

"If I (provisionally qualify) in the 1500 this year I'd be pretty content with my running career. I was about three seconds off last year. This year's team, I don't think, has reached its full potential by any means. We have an incredibly talented team that has only scratched the surface for what is possible. This is the most talented team I've ever been on here at UWRF, cross country or track," Degner said.

"With an athlete like Scott sometimes you have to hold him back on training a bit because he is so driven. I would like to see Scott place as an individual at the conference track & field meet," said Syverson.

The leader of the cross country team is Head Coach Keven Syverson. Degner believes he is a passionate and committed man that is making the program better.

"He is not only making this program better, but molding us into vital members of society," Degner said.