Originally from Dalmeny, Saskatchewan, Canada, Daniel Block is a senior journalism major who writes for The Optimist and runs cross country and track.
After transferring from the University of Saskatchewan before the 2013-2014 school year, Block has been one of ACU’s best runners and looks to improve his skills as cross country season progresses and track and field season begins in the spring.
“Last year, I still ran well, but I didn’t run as well as I would have liked and as well as I think I could have,” Block said. “Coming into this year, I’m already feeling faster. I’m not only looking forward to the rest of cross country season, but track season especially, which is what I specialize in, and really seeing what I can do this year.”
Block said he does his best to help lead the younger runners in the right direction since his recent adjustment to the NCAA atmosphere last year.
“I think the biggest thing I can do is lead by example,” Block said. “I’ve noticed a lot of guys coming in are so wrapped up in the college athletics aspect of it, and they have everything down to a science. I’ve found over the years that, the more I let things happen around me and just take care of what I can take care of, I’m going to have more success than if I’m stressing over every little thing. So, hopefully guys will be able to see that you can’t control everything, and the only thing you can control is what you do, and the rest of it, just relax and let it happen.”
Coming from the Great White North, Block was involved with hockey, one of Canada’s two national sports, for 18 years. But, after playing hockey and running track his first year of university, he decided to devote all his attention to running.
“If I was as good at hockey as I was at track, I’d be doing that, but I’ve come to really love track and just the fact that you control your own destiny in track and field,” Block said. “As hard as you work, you’re gonna get the results and you’re pushing your body to the limit and seeing what your body is capable of which is something I find interesting, and you find a real sense of achievement once you’re done.”
Regardless of how his collegiate career turns out, Block wants to use his running skills to bring honor to his home country.
“Really, my goal has always been to represent Canada at some international competition,” Block said. “Whether it’s Olympics, World Championships, World University Games, something like that. And there are three national teams this summer, so my goal is to make it on to one of them and then hopefully build up for the Olympics and at least see how close I can get.”
