Junior Jack Wolstenholm has been nominated for East’s Athlete of the Week due to his passion for consistently displaying E.A.S.T. ‘s core values of excellence, academics, spirit, and tradition.

Wolstenholm began running in middle school and for the past six years, hasn’t stopped. Jack credits running as his passion and sport, but also offering something that consistently teaches him life lessons.  

“I love running. I chose it because I like the competition and I can kind of push myself to be better,” Wolstenholn said. “I have learned that discipline is important and you really can’t slack off. When you’re disciplined, you get the results.”

His freshman year, Wolstenholn was pulled up to run on varsity. Head varsity coach James Milner pulled him up not only for his skill of running but also for his personality and what he brought to the team as a leader.

“Having athletic abilities is only part of what has made Jack successful. He is also a great person,”  Milner said. “Our younger athletes are very lucky to have such a fine example to model themselves after. Jack can be counted on at all times and in all settings.”

East’s boy’s cross country team has qualified for the state meet since 2021 and this fall season they are looking to make it another year. Jack holds a critical part of that state-qualifying team as he is aiming to qualify for his third time.

Sophomore teammate Anthony Garcia credits him with the work he puts in for his team and himself to earn a spot down at Detwiler Park, where the state meet is held, in November.

“He consistently reaches his goals by working hard in practice and running well in the meets,” Garcia said. “ The main team goal right now is for us to make it to state, and Jack has been working very hard to improve his time so we can have a chance to make it.”

Jack has learned how discipline and setting goals can give him results in his running but has also learned how to apply these skills to other aspects of his life to succeed. Jack has maintained an unweighted 4.0 GPA and 4.4 weighted GPA throughout his years at East.

English teacher Sarah Thuneman had Wolstenholm in class for Honors English I and II and gives him credit for his work ethic and attitude.

“He has not only a really strong work ethic but also takes critiques very well. Anytime I would give him feedback on something, I never really saw that mistake again.” Thuneman said. “I think one of his greatest strengths as well, especially with his education, is that he is very humble. He took pieces of criticism and every single time would work to the best of his ability the next time.”

Only a junior, Wolstenholm’s plans for college and after high school are unknown, but undoubtedly, he wishes to continue pursuing his career in running. No matter where he ends up, his mark on East and its running program will be made.

Wolstenholm is an extremely hard worker in running and school, but more importantly, he is unanimously an extremely good person, which can easily be summed up by teammate Garcia.

“Jack is an amazing person in running, school, and in life. I’m glad that he and I have become good friends and that we get to run with each other every day.” Garcia said.

Written by senior Eve Cerny. Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.