Meet Izaic Yorks of Lakes High School, the 3A Districts Cross-Country Champ

Whiz Kid's name: Izaic Yorks

Whiz Kid's age: 17

Whiz Kid's school: Lakes High School

Whiz Kid's accomplishment: Izaic, a senior, is making his mark on the cross-country community in his final season as the Class 3A South Puget Sound League and Westside Classic champion. He set a personal best time of 15 minutes, 19 seconds in the 5-kilometer run at Fort Steilacoom at the league meet.

Izaic is interested in attending college in the Northwest, but said he has yet to receive much recruiting attention.

“I figure it will come in time,” he said with an unconcerned shrug.

In his spare time, Izaic volunteers his time helping Lakes’ Life Skills students. His interest was borne of a close relationship with his sister, Brittany, 16, who is disabled.

Whiz Kid's key to awesomeness: There is no shortage of superlatives to describe Izaic, who those involved with Lakes’ cross-country team call generous, modest, inspirational and selfless. And that’s to say nothing of his running skills. He finished fifth in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter races at the state track and field championships in May.

“He works hard, he knows how to race and he follows his plan,” said Lakes cross-country coach Joe Clark, who called Izaic an unflappable runner. “He’s just a blessing to coach, and we’ll miss him.”

Ironically, Izaic only got into running when he was cut from the baseball team in eighth grade. He is the first to admit that he wasn’t overtly skilled – “I was playing outfield because that’s where they always put the people who can’t play baseball” – and getting hit in the head by a pop fly during practice just solidified that. His coach excused him – and he took up track shortly thereafter.

Now, he has earned the moniker of “beast” among his peers because he is always running – even to school on some mornings.

Izaic’s dedication is hardly a surprise to his coach.

“All season long, he has constantly done every little possible thing to become a better runner,” Clark said.

But will it be enough to be named state champion at this weekend’s meet in Pasco?

“I think it’s going to be really though, but I’m sure – I’m really sure – that I can do it,” Izaic said. “And I get to play the role of the underdog coming in, so that gives me a little surprise advantage.”