By Jake Russell
SOUTH RIVER // CROSS COUNTRY
There’s fast. And then there’s Brent Musselman fast.
Despite only running track since freshman year, Musselman owns six South River track and field records in the 800m and 1600m (indoor) and 1500m, 1600m, 5000m, and 2k steeplechase (outdoor). The irony of it all is his sole focus is to race in the moment whenever he steps foot on a track.
“I’m just out there to race at the competition at the time,” Musselman says. “I originally started doing indoor track freshman year to get in shape for lacrosse but I just fell in love.” His love for competition and winning resembles a quote used by South River cross country coach Josh Carroll: “The best athletes find a way.”
“I’ve really taken that to heart and live by it,” Musselman says. That came to fruition when Musselman finished ninth and the Seahawks finished a schoolrecord sixth in last year’s state championship.
Musselman looks up to Olympic runner Matt Centrowitz, a 2007 Broadneck High School graduate and three-time PAC-10 champion at the University of Oregon, because he has attained the level of track and fi eld success he is working toward. Centrowitz’s accomplishments motivate Musselman to achieve more and prove what hard work can do, especially for someone from Anne Arundel County.
Like Centrowitz, Musselman is looking to take his track skills to college. For now, he has his eyes set on Lehigh, Fordham, and Virginia Tech, among others, and would like to major in engineering. If engineering ends up not being his calling, Musselman would like to pursue working in the medical field, perhaps as a doctor.
Off the track, Musselman is involved in the National Honor Society and even aided in a Breakfast with Santa event where he ought food and helped make crafts with children.
