Reid Muller got it all.
His first goal was a track and field scholarship, second to compete for an NCAA first division school, and third to be on the West Coast, where he could run against the likes of prestigious track teams Oregon, UCLA and Stanford.
And last week the Pitt Meadows track star got exactly what he wanted as he signed a track scholarship worth $100,000 with Washington State University in Pullman, to cover his full out-of-state tuition and all school fees. It was the realization of a dream that he has thought about since Grade 8, when he saw one of his track coaches head to the U.S. as a track star on scholarship.
It was a great week – the Pitt Meadows Marauder also took silver medals in both the 1,500m and 800m events at the Fraser Valley Championships in Abbotsford.
Muller took second at the provincial championships in both of his events last year as a Grade 11, and he’ll be in the hunt for gold at the B.C. High School Track and Field Championships on June 4-6 in Langley.
His high school track coach, Lance Kraus, said Muller has a rare passion for running.
“I knew in Grade 8 he’d get something,” said Kraus, who has known the kid for a long time – he taught Muller in Grade 4 at Pitt Meadows elementary.
“He’s a natural talent for sure, and does a lot of hard, hard work.”
Kraus said Muller trains with different groups, in different styles, and can get a lot out of even a short workout session because of the intensity he brings.
Muller wasn’t walking long before he started running. It’s in the family. His father Eric and mother Lorie, known locally for their Athletes in Kind charity run, have been competitive runners and also run the Sole Experience Running Company.
They have given their son a true love of the sport.
“I do really enjoy the training,” said Reid. “It’s not a chore to have to get up on Saturday morning to train.”
Reid credits his father for giving him the mindset a runner needs.
“Dad helps me more with the mental aspects of racing.”
And he credits his club track coach Andrew Lenton, who has been his pri ncipal coach for the past four years.
“He’s an awesome coach, for his dedication to me as an athlete.”
As a student, he gets As and Bs, and will take his sports acumen into the study of kinesiology, and is interested in sports medicine.
He’s looking forward to running the in NCAA for the Washington State Cougars. It’s a big stage, as their college track meets bring thousands of fans.
“The atmosphere for track is so much greater there,” he said.
They are trying to rebuild their track team, and Muller will be joining another local track standout in Nathan Wadhwani, who was also recruited by the Cougars.
Kraus expects Muller to continue his development, with the potential to become a college track star.
“If he gets the right coaching, and works hard on his speed, he’s got another level to him.”