On my calendar, there is one week that carries an unmistakable stench- the second weekend in November. Some of my most vivid, memorable experiences as a teenager have all come in the same week. In both seventh and eighth grade, it was the week that I’d been cut from the basketball team. Getting cut was … Continue reading Memoir: My First Experience at States
In high school cross country, team performances can ebb and flow year-to-year as varsity runners enter the spotlight and then graduate. The elite programs are the ones that stay constant and are contenders annually, even as the names change, and the only way to build an elite program isn’t through any one runner but through … Continue reading Newspaper Article: XCellent Coaches
This excerpt is taken from my memoir about my freshman cross country season and is about my first invitational meet, the Track'n'Trail Invitational. Though it was technically the second race I ran in, this was the one that gave me the welcome-to-the-big -leagues moment. Being in the top ten for Wootton opened another door later … Continue reading Excerpt: Track and Trail, My Welcome-to-the-Big-Leagues Race
Colin SyBing broke onto the scene as an elite runner for Wootton cross country and track during his sophomore year, running a 16:36 at the regional race and finishing in the top 25 in the state championship with a 16:41. This year as a senior, SyBing led Wootton cross country to its first ever boys’ … Continue reading Catching up with Colin SyBing
On Tuesday, Maryland held its primary for the 2016 presidential election. One of five states to hold primaries on the day, Maryland's results were decisive, with clear victories by Republican front runner Donald Trump and Democrat front runner Hillary Clinton. Trump received the majority of the vote in the Republican primary, beating out Ohio Governor … Continue reading Maryland Primary Recap: Trump, Clinton win MD
The following short story was submitted for the Michael J. Doran writing contest for Wootton High School and was selected as the first-place winner. The fictional story is set at Wootton but is inspired by real-life events. Everett Chambers strolled down the hallway, ready for his first day of high school to be over … Continue reading Short Story: Operational Studies
Many people have the distinct privilege of owning a man cave. I'm one of those select few. I truly believe that my man cave has no equals. It is legendary, incredible, and a ton of fun. Need proof? Read on for a virtual tour of the one, the only Riker man cave. Big Screen One … Continue reading Virtual tour of the Riker man cave
The cross country team for my high school held a banquet and a number of seniors gave speeches. To at least partially pay them back for what they've done for me, I wrote a speech of what I'd say if I had been at the podium. Good evening, As a freshman coming into … Continue reading Speech: How the seniors made my freshman year incredible
Riker's Block 