December 18, 2025 • 27 mins
A single early loss lit the fuse. From that moment, Jack McGovern—a Rockhurst sophomore balancing student government, chamber choir, and a love for photography—built a season that leapt from local promise to national proof: a Missouri soil record, a 12-second state championship, fourth at Nike Cross Regionals, and 10th at Nike Cross Nationals. We dig into the hinge points, from the confidence breakthrough at Gans Creek to the race-day strategy that turned pressure into poise and joy.
We also widen the lens beyond the course. Jack breaks down how student government really works and what it means to serve as sophomore class president when “leadership” looks like planning events, making posters, and being the voice of your grade. He shares why auditioning into chamber choir put him back at the start of a new learning curve, and how being the least experienced in the room sharpened humility, listening, and growth. Add a budding photography business and you see the full picture: a student-athlete who treats excellence as a habit, not a headline.
Culture ties it together. With deep gratitude for Coach Dierks and a six-coach program that treats training like a team symphony, Jack explains how Rockhurst’s expectations—use your gifts, pursue greatness, support each other—turn effort into results. You’ll hear about the gym full of classmates cheering a livestream, the parents and alumni who keep the brotherhood strong, and the finals-week mindset that mirrors racing: trust the prep, take it step by step, and stay calm under stress. It’s a story of faith, discipline, and community that invites every listener to raise their own bar.
If this conversation gave you a spark, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a push, and leave a quick review to help others find Rock Talk. What goal are you running toward next?
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_02 (00:58):
Welcome to Rock Talk, the official podcast of
Rockhurst High School in KansasCity, Missouri, where we explore
the voices, values, and vibrantlife of our Jesuit college prep
community.
Hosted by the admissions andmarketing team, each episode
features conversations withstudents, faculty, alumni, and
special guests as we sharestories of academic excellence,
(01:20):
faith formation, brotherhood,and service.
Whether you're a prospectivefamily, a proud alumnus, or
simply curious about what makesRockhurst unique, this is your
inside look at life at the Rock.
And this is one of your hosts,Steve Redman, director of
Admissions and Marketing.
We got a couple of differentthings going on at Rockhurst
(01:42):
during this time of year, and wehave Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass
happening.
And so Beth is going to becoming in here in a little bit,
but we're getting started, andwe got a special guest today.
One of my favorites.
Don't tell anybody I told youthat.
But now, cool kid, Jack McGovernis with us.
Jack, why don't you introduceyourself to the audience and
(02:05):
tell us a little bit about whatyou're involved in?
SPEAKER_01 (02:07):
Yeah, hi, I'm Jack McGovern.
I'm a sophomore here atRockhurst.
I'm involved in a lot ofdifferent things from student
government to cross country andtrack.
I'm in a lot of differentdifferent events there at the
school, but excited to be hereand ready for it.
SPEAKER_02 (02:19):
Good deal, man.
We appreciate you being here.
And you brought up somethingthat I actually, you know, we
just shot the episode beforethis with with was with Brendan
Ortballs and Jack McShane.
And they're both in studentgovernment.
And I guess what explained that?
Because when I was here, I wasnot in student government, but
(02:43):
you know, we were talking withthem, and then they were just,
you know, I think Brendan is theschool president and Jack is the
senior body president orsomething to that effect.
Explain uh to the best of yourability how like the student
government thing works.
SPEAKER_01 (02:57):
Yeah, so you usually every at the start of every year
we have elections for studentgovernment for each different
grade.
There's a president, there'spresident and a vice president,
and then usually fourrepresentatives for each grade.
And then senior year, you have aclass, you'll have your class
vice president and president,and then also have a school body
(03:17):
president.
So this year it's Brendan Orbalsand Jack McShane's the senior
class president.
SPEAKER_03 (03:22):
Okay.
SPEAKER_01 (03:23):
But I've I've been lucky enough to be able to kind
of represent the sophomore classas the sophomore class
president.
So that's been really cool to beable to kind of represent my
class in that way.
And it's it's pretty exciting.
SPEAKER_02 (03:34):
So, you know, and I what so what do you when you say
you represent the sophomoreclass, like what do you do as
the sophomore president?
SPEAKER_01 (03:44):
Yeah, I mean, so a lot of the events that we host
are we host the sophomoredodgeball event or the we host
you know a lot of differentevents.
I think we're the sophomores arekind of the backbone of the
group.
I feel like we end up doing alot of the work.
We, you know, we've we've we'vegotten our fair share of making
the posters.
We're usually on post postersduty, although we've been kind
of delegating that to thefreshmen now.
(04:05):
Gotcha.
So um, you know, I think beingbeing kind of the voice for a
very vibrant class is issomething that I've been very
blessed to be able to do.
So I mean finding the best waythat I can do that at the
student government meetings andthinking about what would you
know be best for the for thesophomore class at at meetings.
And so I think I think it's alot of different things we get
(04:27):
to do at SGA, but it's also justbeing a voice of what the school
represents as a leader of theclass.
So I think that's something thatI've been I've just been really
blessed to be able to do that.
SPEAKER_02 (04:37):
That's cool, man.
That's cool.
Because I know you know we'vewe've talked you know plenty off
book, and you know, I know thatuh you do a lot running around
and and getting into thosethings.
And I was just curious aboutthat.
I meant to ask those guys, andwe just got sidetracked in the
conversation.
But okay, so you you're in thestudent government, you
(04:58):
mentioned cross-country, youmentioned track, anything else,
because you know I want to talkto you about some of your
accomplishments that that youknow we've been blessed to watch
and support you in.
But anything else you'reinvolved in that somebody might
not know?
SPEAKER_01 (05:14):
Yeah, so I auditioned for the chamber choir
actually last year.
Um I'm in the chamber choir.
It's it's a really fun group.
We we do a lot of really uniquestuff at rockers.
It's really cool.
We had a concert the othernight.
SPEAKER_03 (05:25):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (05:25):
And so it's a lot of really cool experiences that
have come out of being in thechamber choir.
So it's a group that youaudition for of about
twenty-five of the best singersat Rocker.
So I I really wouldn't if youwould have asked me what I would
have been doing as a freshmangoing in, I'd I would not have
guessed that you would saychamber choir.
Um because it's it's a reallycool group of guys because it's
(05:50):
it's a group that put me at thevery bottom of the totem pole as
far as what I you know what mylevel is.
And on on the cross-countrycourse, like as much as you
know, they're excellent seniorleaders, I've been kind of
forced to become somewhat of aleader on that course.
So it's it's different to be ina in a group of guys where I am
(06:10):
the lowest guy in that group.
I'm the worst, you know, I'm I'mone of the worst singers in that
group, but I also it forces meto learn and forces me to grow
and yeah, to become to becomesomething that I really didn't
think I would be.
But another thing isphotography.
I've been doing a lot ofphotography and movie making.
I do a lot of familyphotography, been doing it for
all my life.
And uh a little bit of moviemaking for the school, but
(06:32):
definitely a good amount ofphotography with Mr.
Hayden and stuff like that.
SPEAKER_02 (06:35):
Okay.
So and when you say familyphotography, like you take
pictures outside of school forfamilies like that.
SPEAKER_01 (06:42):
Yeah, okay.
Yeah, I've been doing that forabout two years now, and it's
it's it makes it makes a goodamount of money, but it's also
it's it's a great, it's a greatkind of side hobby because it it
one can help me make a littlebit more money, and also it's
it's a really cool thing thatI'm able to do.
As far as like, you know, I do alot of sports photography and a
lot of the other different kindsof photography, but it's it's
(07:03):
much more you know, it's it'smuch more like real and it feels
more real world and more of likea real job, so that's pretty
exciting to be able to do.
SPEAKER_02 (07:12):
So now I know why it's so hard to find you,
because you got you got all kindof plates spinning, which is
which is good though, man.
And I and I'll encourage you toyou know, obviously you want to
be mindful of you know, takingcare of yourself and and and
rest, but also maximize thattime too, you know, when you're
(07:32):
doing great stuff and whenyou're involved and when you're
active, you know, very rarelyare you gonna look back on this
and be like, I wish I wouldn'thave wish I wouldn't have been
in chamber choir or whatever itis, man.
So that's cool.
So let's talk some let's talksome highlights so far, right?
So we got a lot maybe there totalk about, man.
(07:52):
You've you know, and I know itfor you for those of you who
don't know Jack, Jack isextremely humble.
I'm blessed to even have gottenhim pinned down to get on this
podcast.
And you know, he's a he's a he'sa guy that's hard to find, not
because he's hiding, justbecause he is he's very active.
So you know, you had aphenomenal cross-country season
and you went to and remind me,cross-country nationals or what
(08:17):
was that thing that customers.
SPEAKER_01 (08:18):
Nike cross nationals, yeah, in Portland,
Oregon.
SPEAKER_02 (08:21):
So talk me through some of that, right?
You know, from going to state tothen getting prepared for Nike
Cross Nationals, like kind ofwalk me through those
highlights, man.
Like how how was that?
How do you how do you feel?
How you feeling now?
SPEAKER_01 (08:37):
Yeah, I mean the whole season really started out
like with it started out with aloss, actually.
I got second place at at the atthe opening meet, the KC Classic
meet, and it it was I think itit kind of sparked something in
me because I was like, you knowwhat, I'm just gonna use that
and I'm gonna I'm gonna I'mgonna learn from that because
I'd never gotten second lastyear.
Last year I was mostly hangingaround eighth place with you
(09:00):
know all the talented seniorsthat we had last year.
I didn't really feel like Ibelonged up there, but getting
second place my first meet, Iwas like, I felt really good to
kind of be up there.
And so throughout the season, wereally worked towards a lot of
big meets, and the big breakoutmeet for me was the Gans Creek
Classic in Columbia, Missouri onthe Mizzou, on the Mizzou course
down there, and just such a coolexperience because it really
(09:22):
brought me into this feeling oflike of a lot of confidence in
myself.
Yeah, something that I was I waskind of lacking going into that
season of just believing that Icould be a national talent level
guy.
And I think that was somethingthat had never really crossed my
mind until I ran the Gans CreekClassic about halfway through
the season, and it just kind ofsparked something in me.
So then the next races, youknow, just building up for
(09:45):
state.
We we ran diction districts andsectionals or districts, you
know, want districts, and gaveme a lot of confidence going
into state.
And so going into state, I Ijust used a lot of really good
people that supported me.
Um and and I think it was such afun race because I felt like it
was a testament to a whole yearof hard work, and I think that's
something that's really cool isto see that you can reap the
(10:07):
rewards of something that youput so much time into.
And I I thought it was it it'ssatisfying how like gratifying
cross country is because I putin so much work from June all
the way until you know lateDecember.
And so I think it I think it'sso cool to be able to see the
things that you do being putinto action.
So I I was blessed to be able towin a state title as a
(10:29):
sophomore.
I think that's that's somethingthat I was really blessed to be
able to do, and it was it wasreally incredible, just the
amount of people that weresupporting me.
SPEAKER_03 (10:37):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (10:37):
And then beyond that, I went to the Nike Cross
Regionals meet.
So Nike like sponsors a regionalmeet so that athletes from all
around the country can qualifyfor nationals.
The goal was to get top fivegoing in and to be able to
qualify for nationals, and I gotfourth with a really good group
of Midwest guys, but you know,kind of knowing that I had a lot
of guys from Rockers supportingme, I went into the nationals
(10:59):
and I I just wanted to have somuch fun in it.
It's such a cool experiencebecause Nike flies you out and
does all the does all the coolstuff that Nike can do.
But I I also want I had somegoals going into it.
I wanted to become anall-American and I think I think
I just wanted to use theconfidence that I built up all
season to be able to do somepretty cool things.
And just I just decided like I'mgonna I'm gonna go out there and
(11:21):
run with some heart.
And so that was that was coolbecause I was running for a lot
of people that had representedme.
I said that in an interview lastafter after the race that I was
I was just running for a lot ofpeople who had been supporting
me all season and you know cameout, placed 10th at nationals,
was just picking off guys allrace, and yeah.
I I really couldn't have askedfor a better cap off of a pretty
(11:42):
cool and incredible season.
I think it it was it was atestament to a lot of hard work
throughout the season.
SPEAKER_02 (11:48):
So for sure, man.
And uh and you know, I know youand I have talked, you know,
several times in that span, andyou know, the one thing that
I'll I'll I you know, you know,I've t I've told you this, but
you know, I I guess for theaudience to understand is like,
you know, I appreciate the lovethat you do this with, you know,
(12:08):
and we've talked about how inorder to be able to actually
navigate those big stages,despite what a lot of people
think, like you gotta you gottalove it in a different kind of
way to be able to navigate theups and downs that come with
pursuing success like that.
And it and it's really cool, youknow, when you were running and
(12:29):
and you and the guys were downin state, you know, we had it
pulled up on the screen in thegym, and you know, everybody
screaming and and and sendinglove in the best way we can, and
then to have you all be able togo represent on that stage is
really cool and and it's reallyawesome.
And that's the thing that Iguess because you know, when we
(12:50):
when we do these episodes too,you realize like there's a lot
of people that listen to this.
So there's a maybe a young manthat's listening to Jack
McGovern that is learning how tobe able to how do you handle
success in a at a high level,how do you navigate that
journey?
And you're absolutely right.
The work, the the the the littlenotches of confidence you get
(13:15):
along the way to keep working,right?
Success breeds motivation.
So uh it's cool to see see seethat pay off.
And I know you left some detailsout, and and I want you to
clarify this for me.
So when you went to Columbia thefirst time, was that that was
the fastest time on Missourisoil ever?
Or what was that detail?
(13:36):
So we're we're missing it wasthe first forever, like in the
history of ever of Missouribeing a state?
SPEAKER_00 (13:41):
Yeah, it was yeah, Missouri, Missouri, Missouri
soil state record.
SPEAKER_02 (13:46):
So those so so guys, so as as as calmly as he's
talking about theseaccomplishments, the fastest
time on Missouri soil ever was amark you set, and then you won
state by 12 seconds.
Uh yeah, I guess uh I think we Ithink we had the count.
And I I always, you know, youcould get excited and miss the
(14:09):
number, but 12 second victory atstate.
And then rumor was that the guythat was with you was the dude
that beat you earlier in theyear.
Was that true or was somebodymaking that up?
SPEAKER_01 (14:19):
It was, yeah.
So Gabe Volker is a verytalented runner from Raypeck.
He was the guy that beat me atthe first meet of the year,
yeah, and kind of just setsomething off of me because I
was I was just so excited toknow that I could compete
against him.
I had looked up to him last yearand and was like, whoa, I'm I'm
competing against him, but alsoI lost to him and it felt good
to it felt good to be up therewith him.
And so I think it's really coolthe talent that we have in
(14:41):
Missouri for on a on a nationallevel.
I mean Missouri's Missouri'sbecoming a very highly
competitive national state.
And so, yeah, the the guy that Ilost to first meet of the season
was the guy that I was hangingout with all states.
SPEAKER_02 (14:55):
Yeah, and I saw when you started to pull away, I was
like, all right.
And here's what's really funny,I'll share this and we can move
on.
Uh, because we were we were allwatching on the screen and we
were we miscounted the becausethey they do it in kilometers.
And so miles is is 3.1, right?
(15:16):
Yeah, it's 3.1 miles.
But they were counting inkilometers, so like y'all were
running and we were allscreaming, hurry up, Jack,
hurry.
You guys weren't halfway throughbecause we were thinking miles,
but they were counting like fivekilometers.
So somebody ended up coaching usup.
But we were excited, and thatthat was really cool, man.
And then tell me a little bitbefore we move on.
(15:39):
Talk me through like that Nikeexperience.
You know, you said that youknow, and I know in events like
that they kind of whine and dineyou a little bit, but kind of
walk me through, you know, yougo through the regional, and now
it's time to go to nationals.
What was that whole experiencelike, that whole, you know,
thing?
SPEAKER_01 (15:55):
It was really cool.
So we got to do it last yeartoo, and it was it was an
experience that I was sograteful to share with a group
of seniors last year, and youknow, with with my other one of
my best friends, sophomore JackMcG or Jack Morrison.
And so the two of us and and agroup of five seniors went out
last year, and the experience isis the same every year.
I think I figured out it's it'sreally just a cool experience
(16:17):
because they fly you out toOregon, you know, they give you
all this cool Nike gear, but atthe same time, it's it's also
like you have to focus on agoal.
And so I I think last year ourgoal was just to have fun and
enjoy it.
But this year I think I wentinto it with a little bit more
of like a an official goal, likeof something that I I knew that
I could achieve.
And so that was that wassomething that was a little
(16:38):
different this year.
But yeah, Nike does the wholeexperience, they'd fly you out
and they'd have you guys inthese nice hotels, and uh, you
know, it's it's pretty sweet.
But I mean I I think if if Icould do anything differently
though, I would just bring thewhole team back this or you
know, next year.
And I that's what I texted outto the group chat of the guys
that were all sending mecongratulations.
(16:59):
I was like, let's just go backnext year, guys.
Let's let's go do this as a teamnext year.
That would be cool, man.
So I the Rockers running likegroup is just such a strong
group, and I think for anystudent that's kind of looking
towards Rockers for you know anysport, I think absolutely you
should consider distancerunning, whether it's track or
cross country, because thecommunity that is built up in
(17:20):
distance running at Rockers isjust something really special,
and we've got a lot of talent atthis school, and so I think and
the other cool thing is ourcoaching.
We have we have six differentcoaches that all just are all
like that all have their ownparts and add things that they
add to the team.
But Coach Dirks is definitelyone of the most skilled and
influential coaches I've everhad in my life, yeah, if not the
(17:43):
most, because he is just soincredibly well-rounded as a
coach, has done everything.
And I think I think it's justreally cool the program that
Rockers has built up around asport that not a lot of other
schools really have such astrong program in.
SPEAKER_02 (17:57):
Yeah, and and Maestro, we used to call him
Maestro because he when I washere, as I told you, he was my
track coach and I gave him a lotof grief.
I apologize, Maestro.
I've grown up now, so but nowhe's a good dude, man.
And it's it is a blessing to seethat level of commitment.
You know, another very humble,behind the scenes kind of guy,
(18:19):
but the level of commitment andand dedication that he has
poured into the school and hiscraft is I'm I'm glad that he is
still here to give that to youall.
SPEAKER_01 (18:31):
So I'm I'm leaving right after school to go to his
uh Missouri Hall of Fameinduction ceremony.
Is he actually showing up?
SPEAKER_02 (18:38):
Okay, does somebody get him to show up?
SPEAKER_01 (18:40):
Um yeah, we're gonna we're gonna force him to be in
front of people and beacknowledged for his successes.
I love it, yeah, man.
SPEAKER_02 (18:47):
Make sure he is uh you gotta celebrate a guy that's
worked really hard.
Get him a security detail tomake sure he gets there because
uh we we were joking, like,dude, I don't know if he's gonna
actually go, man.
You know that's not his style,but that's um that's awesome,
and that's an awesomeaccomplishment, man.
So, all right, man.
We're gonna transition becauseas I told you, this is about
(19:08):
just a review of the semester.
This is about looking forward tothe holidays, and as much as I
dislike this time of year,because finals, I gotta ask,
man, how you feeling about thefinals, dude?
You feeling good?
By the time we air this,hopefully you will have survived
finals.
But what are you looking forwardto in terms of the finals and
(19:30):
and how many do you have and allthat stuff?
SPEAKER_01 (19:32):
Yeah, I mean, so I have I have uh five, I six
finals this year, not includingchoir, but we actually did have
to write an essay the other dayin choir.
So I know he's Coker's making usdo a little bit more work, but
but I think I think for me,finals is just uh it's kind of
an interesting time of yearbecause the cross-country season
just ended, so I get to I get tohave a little bit more time to
(19:55):
realize that I need to put alittle bit more effort into
school, which you know it iskind of a a yearly recurrence
now of me being like, all right,now I gotta focus on the other
things.
So but I I I think I'm I thinkI'm pretty excited for it.
The teachers do a really goodjob of getting us ready for
these, you know, a time that alot of people are a little
stressed out about.
(20:16):
But I I think the biggest thingis just to stay focused, take it
one step at a time.
And I'm I'm really not toonervous about it, but I think I
think a lot of guys can kind ofget in their own head about it.
But I think the thing that a lotof people need to realize is
that Rockers does a really goodjob of preparing you for really
anything in life.
SPEAKER_03 (20:31):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (20:32):
And so I I I'd say to a lot of the guys that are
nervous and you know, kind ofconfused about you know what to
do for finals, I think it's Ithink it's just the time to
realize like you're ready forthis.
It's it's a lot of what I'vebeen told in running of just you
know, having confidence thatyou're ready in it.
You're ready for it.
Like I I think I'll I'll get agood amount of studying in the
next week, but without running,I I think I'll be able to you
(20:54):
know finally find out.
I'm excited for just to be ableto check another thing off the
list and get ready for a littlebreak, so that'll be nice.
SPEAKER_02 (21:05):
For sure, man.
And you know, getting throughfinals, it kind of leads to this
next question of like, Christmasis around the corner, man.
This time of year, what are youlooking forward to in terms of
the holiday season?
Is there anything that jumps outin your mind of like being
particularly thankful for atthis time of year?
SPEAKER_01 (21:26):
Yeah, I mean, I think it's I think it's thankful
for a lot of people.
I I've been I've been so blessedin my life just to have so many
great people that have supportedme from my St.
Elizabeth community on gradeschool and so many people in
there to my new Rockerscommunity.
But so many great family membersthat I could not even name in
the spirit in the span of anhour that we have.
Yeah.
(21:46):
But you know, I I I think I'mjust so blessed to have so many
great people in my life, whetherit's running or whether it's
academics and athletics atRockers, but also just so many
people that support me.
And I think I think it's it'sjust a lot of people that that I
couldn't even name.
But you know, my parents, myparents is definitely probably
number one in that my family.
Yeah.
That's cool, man.
(22:07):
Gotta make sure you gotta makesure you say the family so that
mom doesn't get mad when shehears this.
Oh yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (22:11):
And then well, let me because you got a little
brother coming, right?
Yeah.
Owen, Owen, I I saw his name popin there.
Is he excited?
SPEAKER_01 (22:19):
Yeah, absolutely.
I mean, I think I think he'sseen what I've been able to do
at Rockhurst and just the impactthat Rockhurst has has given me,
and I think he's just so excitedto make his own little legacy at
Rockhurst.
And I think there's I thinkthere's something really cool
about the community thatRockhurst has because it's a lot
of families and it's a lot ofbrothers.
And I I'm I'm just excited forhim to be able to kind of create
(22:40):
his own legacy at Rockhurst.
And I also have a youngerbrother, Luke, too, who's four
years younger.
Or yeah, four years younger.
SPEAKER_03 (22:47):
So okay.
SPEAKER_01 (22:48):
But I I think it's it's a really cool community
because it's a lot of family,whether you're directly related
to them or not.
Like I think it's it becomes afamily of a sort.
And so I think he's just excitedto be welcomed into another
community.
SPEAKER_02 (23:01):
I'm always excited about, even though you know,
when you're young, you don'tknow the brotherhood, right?
You're calling it a family, butlike that brotherhood.
I always, especially sitting inthis seat this year, of being
able to engage and talk with thefamilies and meet the young men
that are coming in next year,it's really cool because for
(23:23):
them to have this sense of whatyou just talked about, this
family, this community, thisbrotherhood, you know, and and I
always I was telling a parentthe other day, the brotherhood
is it is very much the guys thatare here and that come through
here as alumni, but it's alsoour extended community.
(23:43):
The the the moms that and dadsthat help at the you know the
hospitality desk, thevolunteers.
I mean, this this brotherhood ismassive and it is welcoming and
it is really cool to be a partof.
And so that's I'm I'm I lovehearing that he's excited about
stepping in the door and justgetting in the mix, which leads
to this, man.
(24:04):
And you know, this is the lastquestion, you know, because we
want these to just be shortlittle highlight type type
combos, but a lot going on here,a lot that you're involved in.
What if you can, what's onething that you're thankful for
from Rockhurst?
You know, like what is a if ifyou could point it in any
(24:26):
direction you want to, what itwhat's something that you're
thankful for from this place?
SPEAKER_01 (24:29):
I think for me it's I'm thankful that Rockhurst has
given me so many opportunities.
My and I feel like that's a verycliche thing to say because a
lot of people say that, and it'swhat does that really mean?
But for me, I mean it'sobviously you can go in a
running and seeing how I've beenable to kind of represent myself
on a national scale, but at thesame time, it's also so many
other things.
Um, it's given me theopportunity to be a part of new
(24:49):
friend groups and be a part ofnew groups of guys that that are
really just great guys atRockers and finding finding the
groups that that I really enjoybecause there's so many great
people at Rockers, but it's alsogiven me the opportunity to
learn at a you know incrediblywell-storied school and it's and
its academic accolades.
And so I think it's it's areally cool community because it
(25:12):
there's so many opportunitiesfor every single student.
And I that's that's the onething I tell any rockers, you
know, student or incomingrockers student.
That's what I tell my shadowswhenever I have shadows.
Yeah, it's just you know,there's there's something cool
to do at rockers for you.
And you know, I'll I'll give ashout-out to a senior last year.
Andrew Davis told me this.
He said, Jack, at Rockers, it'sit's cool to be good at
(25:36):
something, like to be reallygood at something.
And and a lot of people at otherschools might think like, you
know, they use the phrase liketry hard or something like that.
And I I think that's such ahorrible phrase because it
having passion and confidence inwhat you do is is something that
I think rockers is just builtaround.
It's built around a lot ofreally studded people who are
(25:57):
really good at at the thingsthat they do because they work
so hard at it and becauseRockers gives them the
opportunities that they do.
SPEAKER_02 (26:04):
Yeah, and dude, that's that's well said because
it's um this is a conversation Ihave with my kids, and it's a
combo I have with other athletesand folks I work with, and just
people I find now is like youknow, we're living in a time
where there's so much that cantear you down.
What we've always done here isbecoming more and more
(26:26):
prominent, and and almost likepeople are surprised.
Like, yeah, dude, like thesuccess that you see our young
men have in any area, you can gotit for tat, you could pick any
program you want to.
Me and Winkler were talkingabout this.
Pick a pick a department, pick aprogram.
It's it's because of the cultureand the expectation is the thing
(26:47):
that I would add to that.
The expectation for you to comehere and be great.
We'll we will support you, wewill love you, we will show up
for you, but the expectation iswhatever those gifts are, use
them to go be great.
Yeah, and yeah, and that is thatis something that I'm surprised,
but I also went here.
So I I got an inside look, ifyou will, that people are
(27:11):
surprised when they hear that.
SPEAKER_00 (27:13):
Sure.
SPEAKER_02 (27:13):
Like, yeah, that's why robotics has banners, that's
why cross country and theseplays have banners, that's why
our choir does the overseastrips, that's why like it's just
what we do, and we see itdifferently in-house, and just
helping people understand thatis is something I'm passionate
about.
So that's it, man.
Well, dude, I appreciate yourtime.
I wish you the best on finals.
(27:34):
I wish you a blessed holidayseason.
Thank you for being here.
Yeah, and guys, this is anotherepisode of Rock Talk.
This is Steve, and we'll talksoon.
Welcome to Rock Talk, the official podcast of
Rockhurst High School in KansasCity, Missouri, where we explore
the voices, values, and vibrantlife of our Jesuit college prep
community.
Hosted by the admissions andmarketing team, each episode
features conversations withstudents, faculty, alumni, and
special guests as we sharestories of academic excellence,
(01:20):
faith formation, brotherhood,and service.
Whether you're a prospectivefamily, a proud alumnus, or
simply curious about what makesRockhurst unique, this is your
inside look at life at the Rock.
And this is one of your hosts,Steve Redman, director of
Admissions and Marketing.
We got a couple of differentthings going on at Rockhurst
(01:42):
during this time of year, and wehave Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass
happening.
And so Beth is going to becoming in here in a little bit,
but we're getting started, andwe got a special guest today.
One of my favorites.
Don't tell anybody I told youthat.
But now, cool kid, Jack McGovernis with us.
Jack, why don't you introduceyourself to the audience and
(02:05):
tell us a little bit about whatyou're involved in?
SPEAKER_01 (02:07):
Yeah, hi, I'm Jack McGovern.
I'm a sophomore here atRockhurst.
I'm involved in a lot ofdifferent things from student
government to cross country andtrack.
I'm in a lot of differentdifferent events there at the
school, but excited to be hereand ready for it.
SPEAKER_02 (02:19):
Good deal, man.
We appreciate you being here.
And you brought up somethingthat I actually, you know, we
just shot the episode beforethis with with was with Brendan
Ortballs and Jack McShane.
And they're both in studentgovernment.
And I guess what explained that?
Because when I was here, I wasnot in student government, but
(02:43):
you know, we were talking withthem, and then they were just,
you know, I think Brendan is theschool president and Jack is the
senior body president orsomething to that effect.
Explain uh to the best of yourability how like the student
government thing works.
SPEAKER_01 (02:57):
Yeah, so you usually every at the start of every year
we have elections for studentgovernment for each different
grade.
There's a president, there'spresident and a vice president,
and then usually fourrepresentatives for each grade.
And then senior year, you have aclass, you'll have your class
vice president and president,and then also have a school body
(03:17):
president.
So this year it's Brendan Orbalsand Jack McShane's the senior
class president.
SPEAKER_03 (03:22):
Okay.
SPEAKER_01 (03:23):
But I've I've been lucky enough to be able to kind
of represent the sophomore classas the sophomore class
president.
So that's been really cool to beable to kind of represent my
class in that way.
And it's it's pretty exciting.
SPEAKER_02 (03:34):
So, you know, and I what so what do you when you say
you represent the sophomoreclass, like what do you do as
the sophomore president?
SPEAKER_01 (03:44):
Yeah, I mean, so a lot of the events that we host
are we host the sophomoredodgeball event or the we host
you know a lot of differentevents.
I think we're the sophomores arekind of the backbone of the
group.
I feel like we end up doing alot of the work.
We, you know, we've we've we'vegotten our fair share of making
the posters.
We're usually on post postersduty, although we've been kind
of delegating that to thefreshmen now.
(04:05):
Gotcha.
So um, you know, I think beingbeing kind of the voice for a
very vibrant class is issomething that I've been very
blessed to be able to do.
So I mean finding the best waythat I can do that at the
student government meetings andthinking about what would you
know be best for the for thesophomore class at at meetings.
And so I think I think it's alot of different things we get
(04:27):
to do at SGA, but it's also justbeing a voice of what the school
represents as a leader of theclass.
So I think that's something thatI've been I've just been really
blessed to be able to do that.
SPEAKER_02 (04:37):
That's cool, man.
That's cool.
Because I know you know we'vewe've talked you know plenty off
book, and you know, I know thatuh you do a lot running around
and and getting into thosethings.
And I was just curious aboutthat.
I meant to ask those guys, andwe just got sidetracked in the
conversation.
But okay, so you you're in thestudent government, you
(04:58):
mentioned cross-country, youmentioned track, anything else,
because you know I want to talkto you about some of your
accomplishments that that youknow we've been blessed to watch
and support you in.
But anything else you'reinvolved in that somebody might
not know?
SPEAKER_01 (05:14):
Yeah, so I auditioned for the chamber choir
actually last year.
Um I'm in the chamber choir.
It's it's a really fun group.
We we do a lot of really uniquestuff at rockers.
It's really cool.
We had a concert the othernight.
SPEAKER_03 (05:25):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (05:25):
And so it's a lot of really cool experiences that
have come out of being in thechamber choir.
So it's a group that youaudition for of about
twenty-five of the best singersat Rocker.
So I I really wouldn't if youwould have asked me what I would
have been doing as a freshmangoing in, I'd I would not have
guessed that you would saychamber choir.
Um because it's it's a reallycool group of guys because it's
(05:50):
it's a group that put me at thevery bottom of the totem pole as
far as what I you know what mylevel is.
And on on the cross-countrycourse, like as much as you
know, they're excellent seniorleaders, I've been kind of
forced to become somewhat of aleader on that course.
So it's it's different to be ina in a group of guys where I am
(06:10):
the lowest guy in that group.
I'm the worst, you know, I'm I'mone of the worst singers in that
group, but I also it forces meto learn and forces me to grow
and yeah, to become to becomesomething that I really didn't
think I would be.
But another thing isphotography.
I've been doing a lot ofphotography and movie making.
I do a lot of familyphotography, been doing it for
all my life.
And uh a little bit of moviemaking for the school, but
(06:32):
definitely a good amount ofphotography with Mr.
Hayden and stuff like that.
SPEAKER_02 (06:35):
Okay.
So and when you say familyphotography, like you take
pictures outside of school forfamilies like that.
SPEAKER_01 (06:42):
Yeah, okay.
Yeah, I've been doing that forabout two years now, and it's
it's it makes it makes a goodamount of money, but it's also
it's it's a great, it's a greatkind of side hobby because it it
one can help me make a littlebit more money, and also it's
it's a really cool thing thatI'm able to do.
As far as like, you know, I do alot of sports photography and a
lot of the other different kindsof photography, but it's it's
(07:03):
much more you know, it's it'smuch more like real and it feels
more real world and more of likea real job, so that's pretty
exciting to be able to do.
SPEAKER_02 (07:12):
So now I know why it's so hard to find you,
because you got you got all kindof plates spinning, which is
which is good though, man.
And I and I'll encourage you toyou know, obviously you want to
be mindful of you know, takingcare of yourself and and and
rest, but also maximize thattime too, you know, when you're
(07:32):
doing great stuff and whenyou're involved and when you're
active, you know, very rarelyare you gonna look back on this
and be like, I wish I wouldn'thave wish I wouldn't have been
in chamber choir or whatever itis, man.
So that's cool.
So let's talk some let's talksome highlights so far, right?
So we got a lot maybe there totalk about, man.
(07:52):
You've you know, and I know itfor you for those of you who
don't know Jack, Jack isextremely humble.
I'm blessed to even have gottenhim pinned down to get on this
podcast.
And you know, he's a he's a he'sa guy that's hard to find, not
because he's hiding, justbecause he is he's very active.
So you know, you had aphenomenal cross-country season
and you went to and remind me,cross-country nationals or what
(08:17):
was that thing that customers.
SPEAKER_01 (08:18):
Nike cross nationals, yeah, in Portland,
Oregon.
SPEAKER_02 (08:21):
So talk me through some of that, right?
You know, from going to state tothen getting prepared for Nike
Cross Nationals, like kind ofwalk me through those
highlights, man.
Like how how was that?
How do you how do you feel?
How you feeling now?
SPEAKER_01 (08:37):
Yeah, I mean the whole season really started out
like with it started out with aloss, actually.
I got second place at at the atthe opening meet, the KC Classic
meet, and it it was I think itit kind of sparked something in
me because I was like, you knowwhat, I'm just gonna use that
and I'm gonna I'm gonna I'mgonna learn from that because
I'd never gotten second lastyear.
Last year I was mostly hangingaround eighth place with you
(09:00):
know all the talented seniorsthat we had last year.
I didn't really feel like Ibelonged up there, but getting
second place my first meet, Iwas like, I felt really good to
kind of be up there.
And so throughout the season, wereally worked towards a lot of
big meets, and the big breakoutmeet for me was the Gans Creek
Classic in Columbia, Missouri onthe Mizzou, on the Mizzou course
down there, and just such a coolexperience because it really
(09:22):
brought me into this feeling oflike of a lot of confidence in
myself.
Yeah, something that I was I waskind of lacking going into that
season of just believing that Icould be a national talent level
guy.
And I think that was somethingthat had never really crossed my
mind until I ran the Gans CreekClassic about halfway through
the season, and it just kind ofsparked something in me.
So then the next races, youknow, just building up for
(09:45):
state.
We we ran diction districts andsectionals or districts, you
know, want districts, and gaveme a lot of confidence going
into state.
And so going into state, I Ijust used a lot of really good
people that supported me.
Um and and I think it was such afun race because I felt like it
was a testament to a whole yearof hard work, and I think that's
something that's really cool isto see that you can reap the
(10:07):
rewards of something that youput so much time into.
And I I thought it was it it'ssatisfying how like gratifying
cross country is because I putin so much work from June all
the way until you know lateDecember.
And so I think it I think it'sso cool to be able to see the
things that you do being putinto action.
So I I was blessed to be able towin a state title as a
(10:29):
sophomore.
I think that's that's somethingthat I was really blessed to be
able to do, and it was it wasreally incredible, just the
amount of people that weresupporting me.
SPEAKER_03 (10:37):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (10:37):
And then beyond that, I went to the Nike Cross
Regionals meet.
So Nike like sponsors a regionalmeet so that athletes from all
around the country can qualifyfor nationals.
The goal was to get top fivegoing in and to be able to
qualify for nationals, and I gotfourth with a really good group
of Midwest guys, but you know,kind of knowing that I had a lot
of guys from Rockers supportingme, I went into the nationals
(10:59):
and I I just wanted to have somuch fun in it.
It's such a cool experiencebecause Nike flies you out and
does all the does all the coolstuff that Nike can do.
But I I also want I had somegoals going into it.
I wanted to become anall-American and I think I think
I just wanted to use theconfidence that I built up all
season to be able to do somepretty cool things.
And just I just decided like I'mgonna I'm gonna go out there and
(11:21):
run with some heart.
And so that was that was coolbecause I was running for a lot
of people that had representedme.
I said that in an interview lastafter after the race that I was
I was just running for a lot ofpeople who had been supporting
me all season and you know cameout, placed 10th at nationals,
was just picking off guys allrace, and yeah.
I I really couldn't have askedfor a better cap off of a pretty
(11:42):
cool and incredible season.
I think it it was it was atestament to a lot of hard work
throughout the season.
SPEAKER_02 (11:48):
So for sure, man.
And uh and you know, I know youand I have talked, you know,
several times in that span, andyou know, the one thing that
I'll I'll I you know, you know,I've t I've told you this, but
you know, I I guess for theaudience to understand is like,
you know, I appreciate the lovethat you do this with, you know,
(12:08):
and we've talked about how inorder to be able to actually
navigate those big stages,despite what a lot of people
think, like you gotta you gottalove it in a different kind of
way to be able to navigate theups and downs that come with
pursuing success like that.
And it and it's really cool, youknow, when you were running and
(12:29):
and you and the guys were downin state, you know, we had it
pulled up on the screen in thegym, and you know, everybody
screaming and and and sendinglove in the best way we can, and
then to have you all be able togo represent on that stage is
really cool and and it's reallyawesome.
And that's the thing that Iguess because you know, when we
(12:50):
when we do these episodes too,you realize like there's a lot
of people that listen to this.
So there's a maybe a young manthat's listening to Jack
McGovern that is learning how tobe able to how do you handle
success in a at a high level,how do you navigate that
journey?
And you're absolutely right.
The work, the the the the littlenotches of confidence you get
(13:15):
along the way to keep working,right?
Success breeds motivation.
So uh it's cool to see see seethat pay off.
And I know you left some detailsout, and and I want you to
clarify this for me.
So when you went to Columbia thefirst time, was that that was
the fastest time on Missourisoil ever?
Or what was that detail?
(13:36):
So we're we're missing it wasthe first forever, like in the
history of ever of Missouribeing a state?
SPEAKER_00 (13:41):
Yeah, it was yeah, Missouri, Missouri, Missouri
soil state record.
SPEAKER_02 (13:46):
So those so so guys, so as as as calmly as he's
talking about theseaccomplishments, the fastest
time on Missouri soil ever was amark you set, and then you won
state by 12 seconds.
Uh yeah, I guess uh I think we Ithink we had the count.
And I I always, you know, youcould get excited and miss the
(14:09):
number, but 12 second victory atstate.
And then rumor was that the guythat was with you was the dude
that beat you earlier in theyear.
Was that true or was somebodymaking that up?
SPEAKER_01 (14:19):
It was, yeah.
So Gabe Volker is a verytalented runner from Raypeck.
He was the guy that beat me atthe first meet of the year,
yeah, and kind of just setsomething off of me because I
was I was just so excited toknow that I could compete
against him.
I had looked up to him last yearand and was like, whoa, I'm I'm
competing against him, but alsoI lost to him and it felt good
to it felt good to be up therewith him.
And so I think it's really coolthe talent that we have in
(14:41):
Missouri for on a on a nationallevel.
I mean Missouri's Missouri'sbecoming a very highly
competitive national state.
And so, yeah, the the guy that Ilost to first meet of the season
was the guy that I was hangingout with all states.
SPEAKER_02 (14:55):
Yeah, and I saw when you started to pull away, I was
like, all right.
And here's what's really funny,I'll share this and we can move
on.
Uh, because we were we were allwatching on the screen and we
were we miscounted the becausethey they do it in kilometers.
And so miles is is 3.1, right?
(15:16):
Yeah, it's 3.1 miles.
But they were counting inkilometers, so like y'all were
running and we were allscreaming, hurry up, Jack,
hurry.
You guys weren't halfway throughbecause we were thinking miles,
but they were counting like fivekilometers.
So somebody ended up coaching usup.
But we were excited, and thatthat was really cool, man.
And then tell me a little bitbefore we move on.
(15:39):
Talk me through like that Nikeexperience.
You know, you said that youknow, and I know in events like
that they kind of whine and dineyou a little bit, but kind of
walk me through, you know, yougo through the regional, and now
it's time to go to nationals.
What was that whole experiencelike, that whole, you know,
thing?
SPEAKER_01 (15:55):
It was really cool.
So we got to do it last yeartoo, and it was it was an
experience that I was sograteful to share with a group
of seniors last year, and youknow, with with my other one of
my best friends, sophomore JackMcG or Jack Morrison.
And so the two of us and and agroup of five seniors went out
last year, and the experience isis the same every year.
I think I figured out it's it'sreally just a cool experience
(16:17):
because they fly you out toOregon, you know, they give you
all this cool Nike gear, but atthe same time, it's it's also
like you have to focus on agoal.
And so I I think last year ourgoal was just to have fun and
enjoy it.
But this year I think I wentinto it with a little bit more
of like a an official goal, likeof something that I I knew that
I could achieve.
And so that was that wassomething that was a little
(16:38):
different this year.
But yeah, Nike does the wholeexperience, they'd fly you out
and they'd have you guys inthese nice hotels, and uh, you
know, it's it's pretty sweet.
But I mean I I think if if Icould do anything differently
though, I would just bring thewhole team back this or you
know, next year.
And I that's what I texted outto the group chat of the guys
that were all sending mecongratulations.
(16:59):
I was like, let's just go backnext year, guys.
Let's let's go do this as a teamnext year.
That would be cool, man.
So I the Rockers running likegroup is just such a strong
group, and I think for anystudent that's kind of looking
towards Rockers for you know anysport, I think absolutely you
should consider distancerunning, whether it's track or
cross country, because thecommunity that is built up in
(17:20):
distance running at Rockers isjust something really special,
and we've got a lot of talent atthis school, and so I think and
the other cool thing is ourcoaching.
We have we have six differentcoaches that all just are all
like that all have their ownparts and add things that they
add to the team.
But Coach Dirks is definitelyone of the most skilled and
influential coaches I've everhad in my life, yeah, if not the
(17:43):
most, because he is just soincredibly well-rounded as a
coach, has done everything.
And I think I think it's justreally cool the program that
Rockers has built up around asport that not a lot of other
schools really have such astrong program in.
SPEAKER_02 (17:57):
Yeah, and and Maestro, we used to call him
Maestro because he when I washere, as I told you, he was my
track coach and I gave him a lotof grief.
I apologize, Maestro.
I've grown up now, so but nowhe's a good dude, man.
And it's it is a blessing to seethat level of commitment.
You know, another very humble,behind the scenes kind of guy,
(18:19):
but the level of commitment andand dedication that he has
poured into the school and hiscraft is I'm I'm glad that he is
still here to give that to youall.
SPEAKER_01 (18:31):
So I'm I'm leaving right after school to go to his
uh Missouri Hall of Fameinduction ceremony.
Is he actually showing up?
SPEAKER_02 (18:38):
Okay, does somebody get him to show up?
SPEAKER_01 (18:40):
Um yeah, we're gonna we're gonna force him to be in
front of people and beacknowledged for his successes.
I love it, yeah, man.
SPEAKER_02 (18:47):
Make sure he is uh you gotta celebrate a guy that's
worked really hard.
Get him a security detail tomake sure he gets there because
uh we we were joking, like,dude, I don't know if he's gonna
actually go, man.
You know that's not his style,but that's um that's awesome,
and that's an awesomeaccomplishment, man.
So, all right, man.
We're gonna transition becauseas I told you, this is about
(19:08):
just a review of the semester.
This is about looking forward tothe holidays, and as much as I
dislike this time of year,because finals, I gotta ask,
man, how you feeling about thefinals, dude?
You feeling good?
By the time we air this,hopefully you will have survived
finals.
But what are you looking forwardto in terms of the finals and
(19:30):
and how many do you have and allthat stuff?
SPEAKER_01 (19:32):
Yeah, I mean, so I have I have uh five, I six
finals this year, not includingchoir, but we actually did have
to write an essay the other dayin choir.
So I know he's Coker's making usdo a little bit more work, but
but I think I think for me,finals is just uh it's kind of
an interesting time of yearbecause the cross-country season
just ended, so I get to I get tohave a little bit more time to
(19:55):
realize that I need to put alittle bit more effort into
school, which you know it iskind of a a yearly recurrence
now of me being like, all right,now I gotta focus on the other
things.
So but I I I think I'm I thinkI'm pretty excited for it.
The teachers do a really goodjob of getting us ready for
these, you know, a time that alot of people are a little
stressed out about.
(20:16):
But I I think the biggest thingis just to stay focused, take it
one step at a time.
And I'm I'm really not toonervous about it, but I think I
think a lot of guys can kind ofget in their own head about it.
But I think the thing that a lotof people need to realize is
that Rockers does a really goodjob of preparing you for really
anything in life.
SPEAKER_03 (20:31):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (20:32):
And so I I I'd say to a lot of the guys that are
nervous and you know, kind ofconfused about you know what to
do for finals, I think it's Ithink it's just the time to
realize like you're ready forthis.
It's it's a lot of what I'vebeen told in running of just you
know, having confidence thatyou're ready in it.
You're ready for it.
Like I I think I'll I'll get agood amount of studying in the
next week, but without running,I I think I'll be able to you
(20:54):
know finally find out.
I'm excited for just to be ableto check another thing off the
list and get ready for a littlebreak, so that'll be nice.
SPEAKER_02 (21:05):
For sure, man.
And you know, getting throughfinals, it kind of leads to this
next question of like, Christmasis around the corner, man.
This time of year, what are youlooking forward to in terms of
the holiday season?
Is there anything that jumps outin your mind of like being
particularly thankful for atthis time of year?
SPEAKER_01 (21:26):
Yeah, I mean, I think it's I think it's thankful
for a lot of people.
I I've been I've been so blessedin my life just to have so many
great people that have supportedme from my St.
Elizabeth community on gradeschool and so many people in
there to my new Rockerscommunity.
But so many great family membersthat I could not even name in
the spirit in the span of anhour that we have.
Yeah.
(21:46):
But you know, I I I think I'mjust so blessed to have so many
great people in my life, whetherit's running or whether it's
academics and athletics atRockers, but also just so many
people that support me.
And I think I think it's it'sjust a lot of people that that I
couldn't even name.
But you know, my parents, myparents is definitely probably
number one in that my family.
Yeah.
That's cool, man.
(22:07):
Gotta make sure you gotta makesure you say the family so that
mom doesn't get mad when shehears this.
Oh yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (22:11):
And then well, let me because you got a little
brother coming, right?
Yeah.
Owen, Owen, I I saw his name popin there.
Is he excited?
SPEAKER_01 (22:19):
Yeah, absolutely.
I mean, I think I think he'sseen what I've been able to do
at Rockhurst and just the impactthat Rockhurst has has given me,
and I think he's just so excitedto make his own little legacy at
Rockhurst.
And I think there's I thinkthere's something really cool
about the community thatRockhurst has because it's a lot
of families and it's a lot ofbrothers.
And I I'm I'm just excited forhim to be able to kind of create
(22:40):
his own legacy at Rockhurst.
And I also have a youngerbrother, Luke, too, who's four
years younger.
Or yeah, four years younger.
SPEAKER_03 (22:47):
So okay.
SPEAKER_01 (22:48):
But I I think it's it's a really cool community
because it's a lot of family,whether you're directly related
to them or not.
Like I think it's it becomes afamily of a sort.
And so I think he's just excitedto be welcomed into another
community.
SPEAKER_02 (23:01):
I'm always excited about, even though you know,
when you're young, you don'tknow the brotherhood, right?
You're calling it a family, butlike that brotherhood.
I always, especially sitting inthis seat this year, of being
able to engage and talk with thefamilies and meet the young men
that are coming in next year,it's really cool because for
(23:23):
them to have this sense of whatyou just talked about, this
family, this community, thisbrotherhood, you know, and and I
always I was telling a parentthe other day, the brotherhood
is it is very much the guys thatare here and that come through
here as alumni, but it's alsoour extended community.
(23:43):
The the the moms that and dadsthat help at the you know the
hospitality desk, thevolunteers.
I mean, this this brotherhood ismassive and it is welcoming and
it is really cool to be a partof.
And so that's I'm I'm I lovehearing that he's excited about
stepping in the door and justgetting in the mix, which leads
to this, man.
(24:04):
And you know, this is the lastquestion, you know, because we
want these to just be shortlittle highlight type type
combos, but a lot going on here,a lot that you're involved in.
What if you can, what's onething that you're thankful for
from Rockhurst?
You know, like what is a if ifyou could point it in any
(24:26):
direction you want to, what itwhat's something that you're
thankful for from this place?
SPEAKER_01 (24:29):
I think for me it's I'm thankful that Rockhurst has
given me so many opportunities.
My and I feel like that's a verycliche thing to say because a
lot of people say that, and it'swhat does that really mean?
But for me, I mean it'sobviously you can go in a
running and seeing how I've beenable to kind of represent myself
on a national scale, but at thesame time, it's also so many
other things.
Um, it's given me theopportunity to be a part of new
(24:49):
friend groups and be a part ofnew groups of guys that that are
really just great guys atRockers and finding finding the
groups that that I really enjoybecause there's so many great
people at Rockers, but it's alsogiven me the opportunity to
learn at a you know incrediblywell-storied school and it's and
its academic accolades.
And so I think it's it's areally cool community because it
(25:12):
there's so many opportunitiesfor every single student.
And I that's that's the onething I tell any rockers, you
know, student or incomingrockers student.
That's what I tell my shadowswhenever I have shadows.
Yeah, it's just you know,there's there's something cool
to do at rockers for you.
And you know, I'll I'll give ashout-out to a senior last year.
Andrew Davis told me this.
He said, Jack, at Rockers, it'sit's cool to be good at
(25:36):
something, like to be reallygood at something.
And and a lot of people at otherschools might think like, you
know, they use the phrase liketry hard or something like that.
And I I think that's such ahorrible phrase because it
having passion and confidence inwhat you do is is something that
I think rockers is just builtaround.
It's built around a lot ofreally studded people who are
(25:57):
really good at at the thingsthat they do because they work
so hard at it and becauseRockers gives them the
opportunities that they do.
SPEAKER_02 (26:04):
Yeah, and dude, that's that's well said because
it's um this is a conversation Ihave with my kids, and it's a
combo I have with other athletesand folks I work with, and just
people I find now is like youknow, we're living in a time
where there's so much that cantear you down.
What we've always done here isbecoming more and more
(26:26):
prominent, and and almost likepeople are surprised.
Like, yeah, dude, like thesuccess that you see our young
men have in any area, you can gotit for tat, you could pick any
program you want to.
Me and Winkler were talkingabout this.
Pick a pick a department, pick aprogram.
It's it's because of the cultureand the expectation is the thing
(26:47):
that I would add to that.
The expectation for you to comehere and be great.
We'll we will support you, wewill love you, we will show up
for you, but the expectation iswhatever those gifts are, use
them to go be great.
Yeah, and yeah, and that is thatis something that I'm surprised,
but I also went here.
So I I got an inside look, ifyou will, that people are
(27:11):
surprised when they hear that.
SPEAKER_00 (27:13):
Sure.
SPEAKER_02 (27:13):
Like, yeah, that's why robotics has banners, that's
why cross country and theseplays have banners, that's why
our choir does the overseastrips, that's why like it's just
what we do, and we see itdifferently in-house, and just
helping people understand thatis is something I'm passionate
about.
So that's it, man.
Well, dude, I appreciate yourtime.
I wish you the best on finals.
(27:34):
I wish you a blessed holidayseason.
Thank you for being here.
Yeah, and guys, this is anotherepisode of Rock Talk.
This is Steve, and we'll talksoon.
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