Who’s That Bulldog?

If you’ve only seen Nick Batchelor running, you probably didn’t get a very good look. He likely went by too quickly. Batchelor, a freshman, has been chewing up school records and earning top placements in running events since he was in seventh grade.

So, what’s it like to be in Nick’s shoes?

According to his parents, Chris and Laurie Batchelor, “Nick loves the outdoors and hunting and he also wants to compete in American Ninja Warrior someday.”

According to Nick, he’s most proud of placing at the 2017 South Dakota State Cross Country Meet last year when he was in eighth grade.

His coach, Eric Townsend, says, “Nick is quiet leader. He lets his actions do his talking. For others to follow his lead at this young age speaks volumes to the type of kid and person he is. Nick has tremendous talent as a runner. “For an eighth grade boy, last year, to place in the top 25 at the state meet it’s a tremendous accomplishment.”

Nick says his favorite running-related memory is when the team traveled to Minneapolis to run in the Roy Griak race. “It was fun because there were 400-plus runners in one race.”

Where does Nick see himself in the future? “I’d like to possibly win State Cross Country,” he says, “and eventually attend a running college.”

According to his parents and coach, he’ll work hard to meet those goals. ” We are very proud of Nick’s running. I think his biggest accomplishment is the dedication and work ethic he has learned the past three years. He works hard and most people don’t see it because it’s kind of a hidden sport. It takes a lot of self-motivation,” said Nick’s mother.

Coach Townsend concurs, “If Nick continues to work hard as a runner, the sky is the limit as to where he can go and how good he can be.”