Sebastian Henry loves a challenge and knows about honor and dedication.

The Catasauqua senior has tackled some challenges in his athletic career, and he has another one ahead next year.

Henry, who has run cross country and participated in track and wrestling, plans to join the United States Marine Corps after high school and enlist in the infantry for hands-on combat.

“This is something that I have thought about since seventh grade,” he said. “To me, it is about what the symbol means and how we should honor and respect those have guarded our nation.

“I am scared and excited at the same time, probably more excited.”

Before high school, Henry was active, but he didn’t participate in any organized sports. He met head cross country coach Kyle Rusnock in middle school and the immediate connection began.

“Coach Rusnock was coaxing me to come out,” said Henry. “I always liked to run, so I figured I would try it.

“At the beginning, the biggest challenge was physical. It was just getting my body used to the endurance.

“Then it became mental. I was racing against myself and I had to figure out have to get a pace. It is about staying focused.”

Henry felt comfortable at the end of his sophomore year with the program. His goal was to crack the 20-minute mark, and he achieved it this season against Salisbury.

He ran a 21.01 at the Colonial League meet and hit 20.53 at districts.

“Once I got it, I knew I had to maintain it and keep the energy,” he said. “I hit it a few other times. It was a great feeling to achieve it.”

Rusnock recognized Henry’s contributions.

“Among his teammates, Sebastian has been a great leader and motivator through the years,” he said. “He is a great competitor and showed it all year long. He has helped make this a memorable year for Catasauqua.”

Henry also joined the track team his freshman year and has since has turned his attention from running to shot put and javelin. He began wrestling as a junior.

“With coach Rusnock now coaching track, I see him most of the year,” he said. “He has been a big inspiration and I always have looked up to him.”

Henry also was inspired by his team’s recent performance, as the boys won five meets and the girls won nine.

“This was the first time in a long time that the boys won a meet,” said Henry. “We had great team chemistry and we really supported each other. When the season was over, I did have an empty feeling.

“It took away a big part of what I have become at Catty.”

Heading off to serve the country, Henry certainly has all the attributes to re-establish himself.

District 11

Cross Country

Lexi Rushatz and Sabrina Kemmerer both finished in the top-20 at the District 11 cross country meet last week in Bethlehem.

Rushatz, a sophomore, took 11th place with a time of 21:43.02. Kemmerer, a junior, was 18th in 22:49.82.

Lucy Brubaker was 23rd in 23:23.15 and Breonna Brinkley was 30th in 24:20.31. Ashley Ritter was 43rd in 25:44.35 and Katherine Verenna was 45th in 25:48.91. Jhasmine Polanco took 49th in 26:38.14.

Reagan Pender of Northern Lehigh won the race with a time of 19:14.31.

In the boys race, Matt Smith was Catty’s highest finisher taking 38th in 20:41.95. Bradshaw Henning was 39th in 20:43.85 and Cole Brown was 40th in 20:46.25. Sebastian Henry was 42nd in 20:53.39 and Jason Schneck was 43rd in20:57.00. Luke Colon took 47th in 21:13.21. Dorian Hoagland was 60th in 22:21.68.

Wayne Reilly of Tri-Valley won the race in 17:16.68.