Like all sports at Millbrook High School the Cross Country team is fairly new. But the Pioneer's program has come along way since it's inception five years ago, thanks in large part to senior Bobby Vance and his dedicated leadership.

"He's one that shows that even though he's running well and that he's going to make it to the region meet and possibly the state meet by himself, he shows the other people on the team that unless seven guys are running together, they're not going to do that. He wants the team to succeed more than he does himself," said Millbrook Cross Country Coach Greg West.

Vance wasn't always a leader. In his first two years of cross country Bobby admits he focused more on himself than on those around him. But as Vance matured, so did his leadership skills.

"My freshman and sophomore year our team was good but we didn't have alot of team unity. But over the years we've grown more together more as a team and I've really tried to work together as a team, and I think that's really helped us this year," said Vance.

Bobby isn't the only scholar athlete on his team, in a sport predicated on hard work it makes perfect sense that Coach West's best runners are usually his best students.

"Alot of our better runners are also the better students in the class and they're also involved in many, many different activities within school and also having a part time job. It's that ability to stay focused and dedicated to what you're doing that makes a good cross country runner," said West.

Vance carries a 4.1 GPA while remaining active in almost half a dozen clubs at Millbrook. But instead of all of this affecting his running, Vance says the busy schedule makes cross country even more enjoyable.

"Most of my days are filled with alot of homework the night before, alot of projects or test due that day. Me running helps me to get out all of that stress. High school is very stressful, but I get it out through running," said Vance.

Congratulations to Bobby Vance of Millbrook High School, TV3 Winchester's Student Athlete of the Week.