Senior Brian Krumrey does more than run dozens of miles up and down the tough terrain of the cross country course. Even when he is not keeping record pace or finishing in third place at the Suburban South Conference Championships, he is still hard at work.
Krumrey spends a large chunk of his time managing his own personal lawn service. Although it originally began six years ago as a family task, he currently claims total control of his business.
“My brothers started the business with one or two lawns around my neighborhood about nine years ago. I was in middle school when I first started mowing but they would always give me the small lawns that didn’t pay much money,” Krumrey said. “After a few years went by and my brothers went away to college, the business expanded to 7 lawns around the neighborhood and I took all of them to myself.”
On most days, Krumrey comes home from cross country only to immediately begin his mowing duties. As a result, having to mow each lawn weekly and balance school and sports has proven to be an exhausting challenge for Krumrey.
“With school and mowing I barely find time to sit down and when I do sit down I usually take a nap,” Krumrey said.
However, that hard work does not go unnoticed. Science teacher and cross country coach Mr. Adam Bergeron compliments Krumrey for the work ethic he demonstrates in front of his fellow teammates.
“I’m not sure if Brian’s teammates understand what he does after practice,” Bergeron said. “I would hope that they would admire his dedication to the team.”
Aside from his leadership skills, Krumrey likes to praise himself for the wise spending habits he has developed over time.
“As most of my friends know, I never spend money,” Krumrey said. “They think I am stingy, which may be a little true, but I just hate having to spend money. I know that I work hard for my money and I am not going to waste it like the kids who get money from their parents.”
Although Krumrey has shown personal gains from his work experience, Bergeron is uncertain whether or not the extra mowing work has enhanced his athletic performance.
“I can’t say that it has helped or hindered his running because I would have to compare the ‘real’ Brian to a ‘second’ Brian who didn’t mow lawns,” Bergeron said. “In other words, I lack the appropriate control.”
Meanwhile, Krumrey believes that despite the extra work out, his history of success can be credited to natural skill.
“Some people have theories that my legs are stronger due to pushing a mower, but I like to think I’m just a beast at everything,” Krumrey said.