For Wildwood Middle High senior Damian Spurrier, cross country has been more than just a sport, it’s been a journey of self-discovery, shaping him both mentally and physically.

Damian was introduced to running by Emory and Jessie Strickland, two former Wildwood standouts who inspired him to get into the sport of cross country.

“Jessie helped me a lot when it came to working hard and knowing I had to challenge myself,” Damian says. “Emory was my goal to beat for the longest time. He was the top runner for Wildwood and I wanted to be just like him and make a name for myself.”

That motivation paid off in one of Damien’s most memorable races, a breakthrough performance at the FSU State Championships, where he ran a 16:14 and finished eighth overall.

“It was a great feeling to put all the effort on paper,” he says. “I worked my way to 8th place, passing person after person.”

Earning a state medal stands as Damien’s proudest moment, but his comeback victory at the district championships after recovering from a knee injury ranks a close second.

“Coming back from that and still finding success showed me what I was capable of,” he says.

Damien balances academics with his athletic pursuits. When he’s not training, he enjoys hanging out with friends and encouraging younger teammates.

“Running is my passion,” he says. “I love helping the younger runners and seeing them grow in the sport.”

After graduation, Damien hopes to continue his track career in college while studying to become a physical therapist. The lessons he’s learned from running, he says, go far beyond the finish line.

“Cross Country has taught me to enjoy the moment,” Damian says. “You never know what will happen, so live it to the fullest and cherish the people who are there the most.”

Damien also credits his coaches, Coach Rob and Coach Graham, along with Melanie Strickland, for helping shape both his mindset and discipline.

“Melanie has shown me it’s not all about running, school and balance matter too,” he says.

His advice to younger athletes reflects his driven outlook.

“Be delusional, ” he says. “Give yourself goals that are big and work toward them every day. Even if you don’t reach your main goal, you’ll end up better than you thought possible. In cross country, you don’t have to be the biggest or fastest, but you do have to be hungry.”

Representing Wildwood is a source of pride for the senior standout.

“Competing for Wildwood means striving to represent the ‘W’ on your chest and the Wildcat on your back,” Damien says. “We’re a small school compared to others, but as Coach Graham says, ‘We may not have numbers, but we have quality and that’s all you need to make the money.’”

With the girls’ team recently winning districts and the boys finishing just one point shy of runner-up, Wildwood’s cross country tradition continues to thrive thanks in no small part to runners like Damian and so many at Wildwood Middle High School who embody  what it means to run with heart, hunger and Wildcat pride.