Kurt Ruegg (Napa HS, Harvard 2014) Brings Achievements and Wisdom to Santa Clara University

Ben Dines '15

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Kurt Ruegg (KR) graduated this past year from Harvard, and comes to Santa Clara with a final year of eligibility for cross country/track. Ruegg chatted with Santa Clara Broncos (SCB) about returning to California, learning from mistakes, and goals for this year.

SCB: You grew up in Napa but attended college at Harvard. What brings you back to Northern California and here to SCU?

KR: When I was deciding where to go for my fifth year, I knew for certain that I wanted to come back to California. The weather on the West Coast is much more conducive for training and I realized during my time back East that California is the place I want to settle down. New England will always have a special place in my heart, but I know that I'm a Californian through and through. As far as choosing Santa Clara, Coach Felipe [Montoro] was extremely welcoming and I felt confident that his team was going to be a good training environment.

SCB: How are you bringing what you learned at Harvard here to Santa Clara and to the cross country/track team?

KR: I feel that competing in college for four years has taught me a lot of things. I made a lot of mistakes during that time and as a result, have learned a lot about running. I'm hoping I can impart some of this knowledge to the guys on the team so that they can have smoother careers.

SCB: How do you balance academics and sports?

KR: Balancing academics and sports can be a challenge. It requires being very committed to time management and knowing that putting something off can have large consequences down the line.

SCB: What are you anticipating for this year?

KR: I'm anticipating a top-three finish at WCC's at the very least and a race that will put us in position to qualify for nationals at the regional meet. Individually, I want to break 24:00 in the 8k and finish first team at conference.

SCB: With all the wisdom I'm sure you have gained in the past few years, what advice would you like to pass on to the incoming freshmen at SCU?

KR: If I could pass on one piece of information to guys on the team it would be that consistency pays off. Great runners aren't made in a single season. It sometimes takes years of development and staying healthy for a guy to become fast.

Go Broncos!

Courtesy Santa Clara University
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Keith Conning: Kurt Ruegg's father Roger Ruegg and mother Loreen Ruegg teach chemistry at Napa High School. Roger coaches cross country and track at Napa.