Most people would describe Andy Wigton as a soft-spoken, normal student. But when he is on a cross country course, he leaves everything behind and wins races. He's been the Bulls' fastest runner in the team's last three races.
Wigton, a Rochester native, capped off his successful career at Greece-Athena High School by winning a New York State Federation title in the two mile run.
It is an accomplishment that he said he will always remember. But he said that collegiate running dominates his thoughts these days.
"I wish I didn't (look back on it) but I like to leave high school in high school and college in college," said Wigton. "Winning the New York State title was a moment of pride for me and it's just something I'll never forget and it helps me get through the tough times when I don't feel like I'm accomplishing my goals."
After high school, Wigton made the logical jump to the next level. When the decision came to choose a college, he chose to run for track powerhouse North Carolina State, a decision he now regrets.
"When I got to N.C. State you realize you need a lot more than just running to be happy, like the sport you love, to be happy. I realized that N.C. State wasn't the best place for me."
Wigton chose to transfer to UB because many of his friends were here and because he would be closer to home.
"We are like a family. I don't really call us a team. Steve Strelick and I - we're best friends. We went through high school together and we're both here and it's a big reason why I transferred," said Wigton. "A lot of guys from my Section Five area go here that I'm close with. All of us guys just click together and we know what we have to do each and every week to get it done."
As a child, Wigton grew up playing baseball until his father suggested he try another sport.
"My father influenced me to run. In ninth grade he wanted me to start taking up a sport in high school other than playing baseball in the summer, something during the year," said Wigton. "Between him and my seventh grade gym teacher they just told me I'd be foolish not to try running because I was always fast with the gym class mile."
As Wigton continued to run, he gained a great deal of experience from competing in big meets against the big name runners. These experiences helped Wigton make the transition from a high school runner into a college runner.
"My biggest competitors were my teammate Steve Strelick; a guy by the name of Bryan Dalpiaz from Sayville, N.Y. - he goes to Georgetown now; and Peter Meindl from Orchard Park who runs at Stanford," said Wigton. "I had a breakthrough back in high school running against Dalpiaz. I ran a 9:03 two mile and he ran 9 minutes and we just battled out there. From then on my running career really took off. That's when people started to really recognize who I was. That race alone really set the stage for what I've been doing now."
While most experts say "carbing up" before a race is the best strategy for running, Wigton might be an exception.
"I try to eat healthy, I mean I eat like every other college kid. I eat chicken wings and I eat a lot of subs. I don't eat that much pasta. I've kind of gotten away from that because it really doesn't help me that much," said Wigton. "I like to go to the Olive Garden. That's the only time I eat pasta. I like to go the night before a race. Just drink a lot of water is the only thing I really do."
In terms of future goals, Wigton would like to win a MAC Championship in the 10-kilometer run.
"I'd also like for our cross-country team to just a make a big statement in the conference, which I know we can do within the next two years, maybe even in this (MAC) conference meet coming up. We've got a great shot at getting fourth or fifth place," he said.
Wigton and the rest of the cross-country team will have that chance on Saturday when they battle with the best in the MAC at the conference championships in Toledo, Ohio.
