The Conifer High School track has seen many fast and talented runners, but very few have put in the work like Kyler Boymel. The senior distance runner recently made it official, committing to run for Western Colorado University, a D2 school successful in track. Boymel’s journey there is a great demonstration of what happens when talent meets perseverance and a “never give up” attitude.
Boymel isn’t just a one-trick pony. While many runners specialise in certain events, he has shown that he can excel across the board, competing in the 800m, the mile, and the rough 2-mile. He even steps up to do the 4×400 if his team needs it. When asked about his favourite events, he leans toward the 800 and the 2-mile.
As many know, running at a high level isn’t just about your legs or how fit you are. It’s about what’s going on in your head during the races. Boymel admits that the thought of quitting crosses his mind “all the time” during brutal workouts. However, his determination to improve and his yearning to succeed are what keep him moving forward. It’s that grit that separates someone who runs for fun from a collegiate athlete with high ambitions.
For many high school athletes, the ideal scenario is to just wait for a coach to call. Boymel’s story shows that reality works a little differently. While he realised that he had something special early in his career, he didn’t just sit around. He took his own future into his hands by using Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) and directly reaching out to coaches.
“You have to make it happen,” Boymel said. “You have to reach out to people…most coaches are excited for that opportunity, but you have to tell them that you want it.”
Despite getting hundreds of texts and emails, Boymel was selective, making sure to pick a school that supports him and is the right fit. His advice to younger runners is very simple. Work hard every day and don’t just assume that a spot on a college team is just going to fall into your hands. You need to be your own biggest advocate.
The journey to a D2 commitment didn’t come easy, or without its setbacks. Boymel has dealt with the physical stress of distance running, including a battle with mono that tested his mental grit. He said that the hardest part of not being at your best is knowing the things you will have to overcome to get back to where you were.
Looking back, Boymel wishes he had integrated more speed work earlier in his career. He believes that building speed is important, so when he gets the endurance, he could be even faster for even longer.
While Kyler holds the school record for the 5k run, his proudest achievement from his running career is much deeper and personal. He points back to his freshman year league meet, where he and his teammate Nolan Schwemlein pushed each other to the absolute limit, and won the league title for him and his team.
As he prepares to switch from being a Lobo to a Mountaineer, Boymel leaves behind a blueprint for success through determination and leadership of the pack.
