See all posts in the Kirk’s Captain Corner series
(Kirk’s Captain Corner is a regular feature that will allow Carver County residents to get to know the student-leaders of the various teams in our high schools. Today, we feature senior captain Brady Walton of the Chaska Boys Cross Country Team. WRITER’S NOTE: Yep, he’s my son.)
You just started cross country running in eigth grade. How has your passion for running grown since then?
My passion for running has grown a lot since I started. At first, I was always one of the last ones to finish and barely knew anybody. Now, I’ve met so many great people, who are now my close friends, and am always motivated to do better at the next race. I have shaved several minutes off my 5K time since I started, which has been really fun.
What has been your favorite memory of Chaska cross country running so far?
Going to the yearly Alexandria trip, getting Culver’s after meets and the Eden Prairie night races have been great.
Your mom Kate was a Division I rower at the University of Minnesota and is now a running coach with Moms on the Run. What’s the best advice she’s given you for your own athletic career?
She helps me with my race plan and has taught me a lot about what to eat before and after races. She’s always reminding me to keep working hard, show up for yourself and others, and always be nice to everyone around you. She always finds the best spots on the course to cheer for me and gives me running strategies, which I appreciate a lot.
You are the commissioner of the cross country team’s fantasy football league. Who appears to have the most formidable teams so far this season?
Finn Dunnigan and Holden Higgins – they drafted really good teams. Right now they’re the top two teams but it’s still early so I’m hoping to catch up!
You’re also a big music guy. Give us a ten-song playlist that would get you fired up for a long run.
- Breed- Nirvana
- Who Dat Boy- Tyler The Creator
- Down Bad- Dreamville
- 151 Rum- JID
- Bangers + Mash- Radiohead
- Blood on the Leaves- Kanye West
- Burfict- JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown
- Element- Kendrick Lamar
- Ascension- Gorillaz
- Yeah Right- Vince Staples
What are your plans for next year? Would you like to keep running in some capacity?
I’m planning to go to college to study something like data science, business analytics or statistics. I’m looking at Iowa State, the U of M, St. Thomas, Saint John’s and NDSU. And yes, I would like to keep running. I hope to join a run club in college and train for a longer distance race like the Twin Cities 10 mile or a half-marathon.
What does it mean to you to be a team captain?
A leader. Someone who can organize a bunch of things but also make people better. It was an honor to be selected by my peers and teammates. I really appreciate being thought of as someone that people look up to.
And finally…today is your 18th birthday. What are we doing later?
Gambling??? Could we go to Mystic Lake?
Sure, that sounds fun. Your mom and I love you and are so proud of you. Happy birthday, bud.
The Hawks’ cross country teams travel to Arrowhead Resort in Alexandria for the Lions Meet of Champions on Saturday, Oct. 4, starting at 11:15 a.m. All CC teams will compete in the Metro West conference championships at Hyland Greens in Bloomington on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
