No matter what he's doing, David Sperry is always moving. Whether it's between classes and practice or homework and his job, this Sherando Senior is usually on the run.

"Cross Country takes so long, and you're so tired after you finish those really hardcore practices, that when you get finished and you get home, reading your science book or your math book is not exactly the biggest thing on your mind, but I just try to endure," Sperry said.

David actually started running as a way to loose weight, but soon it became his passion, and the kid who started out using the sport to stay in shape, has grown into a leader for the Warrior's Cross Country program.

"It's mostly lead by example, but he's also respectful of what it takes to have a capable team, how much work it takes, encouragement of the other student athletes in good times and bad times. I would classify him as a leader by example but not to an extreme," said Head Coach Tom Ritter.

Sherando's Cross Country team has plenty of talent, but not a whole lot of seniors. As a result, Sperry is now the captain for a second year in a row, a role he relishes.

"You've got to push people while you're pushing yourself. You can't concentrate just on yourself, you've got to think of your team and think of those guys who are hurting too, maybe not as much as you, maybe even more than you, and you just have to find some way to keep them going," Sperry said.

Most people know that endurance is the key ingredient in any distance runner's arsenal. But endurance doesn't just get results on the track, it also helps in the academic world.

"The persistence that you learn from Cross Country, the persistence to just keep going even when things are difficult, that really defines a runner, and I think that also defines an athlete and a student," Sperry said.

Congratulations to David Sperry of Sherando High School, TV3 Winchester's Student Athlete of the Week.