One sport building on another might be a good description of the athletic career of Muskogee High senior Candon West who has a love for both cross country and soccer.

“I’ve played soccer since I was four and started cross country in seventh grade. I ran track last year primarily as a way to help me get my times better for cross country. My parents put me into soccer because my older sister had played. but to be honest, I didn’t like soccer at all when I started. My parents said I would throw fits out on the field but after a couple of years I started enjoying it more. I started cross country in seventh grade at first just to improve my stamina for soccer but then I got good at it, and it became my sport. And even though I’m pretty good at cross country (a two-time state qualifier), I really like playing soccer better because there’s more action and more team involvement,” said West.

Although cross country is considered more an individual sport, there is an eight-member boys team this year and so some leadership has been required of Candon.

“I lead stretches and workouts a lot of the time and I’ll hype the team up and encourage and lead a team prayer before the meets, so there is some leadership aspect to it for me,” said Candon who is in the leadership club, Young Republicans and FCA at Muskogee High.

The highlight of his athletic endeavors at MHS was probably in his sophomore year according to West.

“I’d have to say the highlight of my time was the first time I qualified for state in cross country my sophomore year.”

 A leg injury has hampered Candon this year but as he approaches regionals his goal is to get under 17 minutes, which would be a personal best for him. After taking last year to run track, Candon plans to return to soccer this spring and then plan for college.

“I’ve talked to some schools about running but I’m also making plans if I decide to take a different path as well.”