BonnerSprings.com

James Carter is a normal college student.

Well … mostly normal.

He studies, goes to class, hangs out with friends and plays “Call of Duty” on Xbox.

He also runs 80-plus miles per week.

“I think the most we ran in a week was 92 … no … 93 miles,” Carter says. “It is completely different from running the 20 or 30 miles a week I used to run in high school.”

While other sophomores in college struggle to get up for their 10 a.m. classes, Carter has more than likely run 10-12 miles by then, every day of the week.

“We run 10 or 12 miles Monday through Friday,” says Carter, who is a runner on the Johnson County Community College cross country team. “Saturday we will have a three-mile time trial, or, if we are lucky, just another 10 miles. Sunday is our big day; we run 22 miles at Shawnee Mission Park.”

Carter and his teammates run more than some people drive in a week, but it does not seem to bother him. In his second season at Johnson County, Carter has improved and was the third or fourth runner for the team that finished eighth in the National Junior College Athletic Association in 2008 and ninth in 2009.

“Last year I was coming off of an injury and didn’t run my best,” Carter says. “This year I have run way better. My time is a minute and 15 seconds (faster), and I’m getting better every single day. It was just harder my freshman year; I was not sure what to expect coming in.”

Carter was one of the Cavaliers’ most consistent performers as a sophomore. In addition to helping the team place ninth at the national championships on Saturday in Peoria, Ill., Carter also placed 51st overall out of 259 runners.

Carter has improved in other areas since his freshman year. In 2008, he struggled to balance his time between studying, training, traveling and free time. In addition, another big challenge for college athletes is working with professors to make sure they do not miss a test or assignment, something that Carter has gotten better at with experience.

“When I miss school because I am traveling for an event, most professors are cool about it and will work with me, but some are really (difficult),” Carter says. “Our counselors try to help us find classes that will work with us, but some classes are only taught by one professor, and some can cause us to (jump through hoops).”

Carter is focusing on core classes right now, but he hopes to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. He is not sure where he will transfer at the end of the school year. He will see if other running scholarships arise, but he also is considering going to Kansas State because the engineering school appeals to him.

Carter is an asset to his team in ways besides running. He works on cars. Recently he replaced the engine in his Acura Integra, saying that a new motor equals more power, hinting that he may have a bit of a lead foot.

“If it’s got a motor, I’ll work on it,” Carter says. “I’m good at working on cars. My teammates say that I am a good person to know. I changed two teammates’ oil last week. I help them out.”

Carter says his overall college experience has been positive so far.

“I like college a lot,” he says. “I have made quite a few friends, met all kinds of different people at other schools and from all backgrounds and walks of life. I just need to stay motivated and keep running.”

Carter will close out his JCCC cross country career at the NJCAA Half-Marathon Championships on Saturday at Shawnee Mission Park.

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