Central Michigan University Athletics
Quiet Humphrey Gives Big Results
1/30/2001 12:00:00 AM | MTF
Jan. 30, 2001
You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy.
This statement fits one of Central Michigan University's track and cross country standouts, Luke Humphrey.
"I was thinking about going to Michigan State, but I didn't like the idea of walking 45 minutes across campus to get to class," Humphrey said. "Mount Pleasant is even too big for me, that's why I live in a house outside of town."
Although he may seem to be a quiet country boy, the role of being a leader is one that comes naturally to this Sidney native.
"That's the way it was in high school," Humphrey said. "I try to lead by example."
Humphrey has established himself as a major competitor in the track and cross country worlds. He has earned first-team All Mid-American Conference honors as well as Junior National All-American honors. But, to this health fitness major, neither compare to winning the MAC team championship in cross country in 2000.
These are great accomplishments considering the fact that he joined the Central Montcalm Hornets track and cross country teams just because he "wasn't good at any other sport."
Humphrey has no specific pre-race ritual.
"We sit in the van and listen to music," he said. "We keep it laid back and try to have fun." When asked what he thinks about when he's running, Humphrey said: "I don't think much, but when I do, I think of how bored I am and then I realize I have three or four more mile to go."
Humphrey picked Central for a couple of reasons.
"I chose CMU because it is close to my family and I liked the coach," he said. "The team is like a family. We joke around and call coach (Craig) Fuller our dad. We put a lot of trust in each other."
To many, Humphrey seems like just another quiet, CMU student.
However, for the people who have had the pleasure of watching him run, it's not true. This is evident by looking at his running shoes. When you're at a CMU meet, look for the runner whizzing by with a pair of neon red and green shoes. It'll be Luke Humphrey.
by: Selina Engle, Sports Information Assistant
