Most incoming freshmen are forced to adjust to living in Pullman. The small-town atmosphere with multiple outdoor activities is usually a new experience, but for Washington State University cross country runner John Whelan, Pullman feels like home. The freshman grew up in Northern California in a small town similar to Pullman called Etna.

Growing up as an only child, Whelan was a part of a close-knit community. His high school included about 200 students with a graduating class of 40 students.

Whelan said going to a small school was great because he was able to grow close with his classmates and teachers.

“It’s a good environment to grow up in,” he said.

During his childhood, Whelan was not the most athletic child, but he enjoyed fishing and hiking.

“I just like being outside and getting to experience the natural world,” Whelan said.

While trying various activities during junior high school, Whelan discovered his inclination towards long-distance running. The more Whelan stuck with the sport, the more he improved with hard work.

During his freshman year at Etna High School, Whelan wasn’t the fastest runner on the team, but he progressed with the help of his high school cross country coaching staff led by Les Helsley.

“I was always lucky; despite being in a small school, I didn’t have a lot of people to train with, but I always had a good coaching staff,” Whelan said. “They would just steer me in the right direction.”

Whelan won the North Section California Interscholastic Federation Championships during his junior and senior years of high school, and he finished 16th in the Footlocker West Regional his senior year at Etna High School, according to wsucougars.com.

When deciding which college to run for, Whelan said he wanted to stay on the western part of the United States, and he wanted to compete for a university that would give him a small-town feel. WSU provided all the features Whelan was looking for. When he visited the university, he knew this was the school for him.

“It’s a great area, a great school educational-wise,” Whelan said. “The sense of community that there is in Pullman is very similar to my hometown. That’s what made it attractive.”

Making the adjustment from high school to college is a process that Whelan is currently facing, but he’s had help from upperclassmen on the cross country team.

“It’s incredible,” he said. “It’s a challenge being at the top and going against the toughest competition, but it brings out the best in yourself.”

Academically, Whelan said he started out as a mechanical engineer major, but he’s since switched to undecided. However, he is interested in math and science and is considering pursuing the career path of a high school science teacher.

“I just thought it would be a really interesting career to help other people in their careers and their development with their future,” Whelan said.