Senior (2017)
Meet Shane, a ninth-semester senior thrilled to be back on the cross-country team for one more season, after limited participation last fall as a “redshirt.” This is Shane’s fifth year of year-round running, having bounded through cross country and track & field since he was a freshman at Principia. He’s a self-proclaimed amateur scientist, cook, and outdoor adventurer; one might find Shane pouring over power systems textbooks, researching sustainable living, concocting new vegetarian culinary creations, or shredding a mountainside trail on his bike when he’s not running. He loves how each day as a runner presents new opportunities for molding character and growth in grace. This season, he looks forward to relishing even the most fleeting (yet special) moments as he grows alongside his team-family. 

Sophomore (2014) 
Shane Witters Hicks is a sophomore and physics major here at Principia and grew up in Golden, Colorado. He has dabbled in running ever since his mom took him out to a few 5k's in elementary school, but really took to running when he joined his cross-country team as a freshman in high school. His very random talent in being able to do a creepy Gollum imitation. If he was a cooking utensil, he would be a Dutch oven pot because he soaks in all of the flavors of life. Shane knows he is capable of more than he does, and so is most looking forward to exploring his full potential this year with his running career. 

Freshman Year (2013) 
As Shane enters his freshman year at Principia as a student and runner, he becomes increasingly excited to challenge himself both mentally and physically. Shane has experienced the rigor and thrill of the beautiful mountain atmosphere at Adventure Unlimited Ranches in Buena Vista, CO and his hometown, Golden, CO, where he loves climbing, mountain biking, and running up the many obstacles. This year, he is euphoric to express himself through running as a free and limitless child of God.

1.)  When did you start running cross country and why?
Freshman year of high school. I was curious to see if I, too, could get to the point where I could run up the nearby South Table Mesa without stopping, as my brother had begun to do (much to my astonishment) during his time on the local school team.

2.)  What do you love most about running cross country?
Oh so much. The disciplined, high-mileage weeks that result in beautiful races. The pre-race jitters that show you care and force you to recall your motives. The post-race euphoria and gratitude. The quirky comradery of the team. Crunching through fall leaves. Apple pie after Cowbell…
 
3.)  What's your favorite......

Movie?
Forrest Gump (“From that day on, if I was goin' somewhere, I was runnin'!” – Forrest); Lord of the Rings (“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us” – Gandalf); Inception; How to Train Your Dragon (for the soundtrack as much as the adventure)

TV Show? 
The West Wing, Sherlock, White Collar, Firefly

Food? 
Quick fresh veggie stir-fry over rice or oven-roasted veggies over pasta, seasoned with olive oil and whatever spices are inspiring in the moment (add baked teriyaki tofu, time permitting).

Restaurant? 
Sherpa House, Golden, CO and Veggie Galaxy, Boston, MA.

Hobbies? 
Cooking, backpacking, hiking, biking (road and mountain), coffee-shop hopping (for the ambiance), getting and giving inspiration (through whatever means necessary).

Pro Athlete? 
Scott Jurek (ultramarathoner and cook), Emma Coburn (mountain runner and steeplechase Olympian).

Dream Job? 
Something that has an admirable mission/vision, allows me to use and refine multidisciplinary skills, travel, interact with other cultures, geek out on a computer/blackboard every once in a while, write.