Youth in Focus

By Richard A. Ross

	TRR photos by Richard A. Ross After a grueling summer of running with Coach George Shakelton, Ian Parnett readies himself for the cross-country season. A senior, he plans to put it all on the line this year by running cross-country, indoor and outdoor track. (Click for larger image)

Beginning in the fourth grade, his running career has gone through different stages, but is about to enter its crucial phase. This is, after all, Parnett’s last year to compete in high school, and this past summer, he made a commitment to be in the best possible shape.

To do that, he spent a great deal of time at the home of coach George Shakelton, logging many miles over hill and dale with the man he has come to regard as his mentor. “We’re good at pushing each other,” Parnett said.

Shakelton, a great runner himself, runs with his team during practices. “He knows what caliber it takes to be a state champion,” Parnett said.

When his daughter, Joy, was a sophomore at Hancock High School in 1996, Shakelton coached her to a cross-country championship.

Parnett began running with a number of his friends back in fourth grade as “a way to get to go to a couple of races.” He liked the feeling of it, and that youthful exhilaration and enthusiasm is something he has sought to recapture.

After joining modified cross-country with friend and fellow- runner Mike Erlwein in seventh grade, Parnett was quickly propelled into the position as one of the team’s leaders in the 1.5-mile races.

Ninth grade began the real serious competition. “I found myself in a key position on the team along with then senior Adam Bassney,” he said. George Rose coached the team and former coach Terry Knickerbocker told him, “running can be fun but you have to work hard.” Work hard he did, recording a stunning 4:36 mile as a freshman, a time he still strives to beat.

His sophomore year put him face to face with serious adversity. Damaging his medial meniscus tendon, he had to have surgery in the early summer. After engaging in intense physical therapy, Parnett rushed himself back, perhaps too quickly for the eleventh-grade cross-country season. He was running with a lot of pain and ended up not competing last winter.

The following spring had its milestones. At a meet that garnered the Bulldogs the Division IV championship, Parnett defeated long-time rival Matt Manzi of Liberty in the mile with a blistering time of 4:38. At the Section Nine championships, he beat David Wert of James I. O’Neill in the two-mile race. Shunning the two-mile state qualifier in favor of the mile, Parnett did not make it to states, something he strives to rectify this year.

	In one of his shining moments, Parnett of Sullivan West outpaced long-time rival Matt Manzi of Liberty in the mile last May. Parnett’s efforts helped to propel the Bulldogs to the Division IV title.JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — For Ian Parnett, a senior at Sullivan West, running isn’t a sport. It’s a passion. (Click for larger image)

According to Shakelton, Parnett is now running up to 45 miles a week, a distance necessary to build the stamina he will need not only for cross-country, but also for track where he will run the mile, two-mile and 4x800 relays.

The injury to his knee forced him to become more knowledgeable and mindful about stretching, conditioning and maintaining muscle strength. The sage senior emphasizes the importance of attitude and mindset. “It’s all about focus and a positive attitude. There’s no limit when you’re excited,” he said. The oft-repeated phrase, “You can do it if you really try,” is not a cliché for Parnett. It is a mantra.

Parnett will be facing David Wert and a fine field of runners including a standout runner from Warwick in the weeks to come. Next year, he plans to attend  either SUNY Albany or enlist in the military. Time will tell.

This week’s youth in focus is running for his life.