Phoenix Shadden’s running career is not over.  On Tuesday, Nov. 15, the AHS senior signed to run at Southwest Iowa Community College in Creston next year.

Shadden saw his career extended as he signed to run with the Spartans. The SWICC website carried this story on Nov. 16.

Shadden thought SWICC felt “like the right fit” after visiting the campus and the coach. He said his 5k times, compared to the runners on the team, are good. The SWICC team did not run at Nationals this year because they did not have a full team. However, Shadden said the team is improving, and he’s looking forward to being a part of a team that’s “on the verge of building up.”

Shadden also considered Iowa Western and Iowa Central. The deciding factor was the solid contact with the coach throughout the year.

“Knowing that I won’t be at the front at meets,” is a bit daunting as Shadden looks ahead to collegiate running. “I’ll have to keep pushing myself, instead of giving up, thinking I’m not doing as well as I did in high school,” said Shadden.

“I think I’m going to major in criminal justice and minor in business,” Shadden said.

“I had hoped to run at college,” Shadden said, but he didn’t expect to get a scholarship. SWICC will pay for “about 60 percent” of his tuition.