Cross country signs history-making runner

The Nicholls State University men’s cross country program began recruitment by adding the founder of a high school track team.

MAKING HISTORY
As an eighth grader at Lafayette Christian Academy, Tyler Granger started a petition to create a track team.

KFLY-TV sports anchor Emily Giangreco interviewed Granger about how he formed a team. “I got people to sign it, everybody in my grade and older grades and everyone around me,” Granger said in his interview with Giangreco.

With the student signatures collected by Granger, LCA was able to start its first track team in school history.

Granger said he was astonished about what his hard work produced. “It’s just amazing to see how God works in developing stuff and opening and closing doors.”

THE NEXT CHAPTER
As his high school days were numbered, Granger looked for another opportunity to make history. That’s when Nicholls came knocking.

Granger not only formulated the first track team in LCA history, but also became the first runner in school history to receive a college scholarship.

LCA cross country head coach Katie Kidd said Granger made a name for himself. “He’s making history at LCA from starting the program, to now signing with a college,” Kidd said.

BEHIND THE SCENES
Granger would not have gotten this opportunity without literally staying on his feet.

LCA track head coach Tommy Badon said being a good runner means setting apart a lot of time to train.

“To be a really good distance runner, you have to be willing to do a lot on your own,” Badon
said. “Coaching can only go so far; you have to be willing to put in the miles.”

Kidd said Granger runs a steady distance each week. “He’ll do long runs that are almost a half-marathon on every single weekend.” Granger said it is a blessing to continue his passion.

“It feels like a huge blessing to just be able to get the opportunity to create a new legacy for this
school.”

Granger officially signed on April 11, and joins a Colonel squad that will start racing again this September.