Tom Penn is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Horizon Honors through AZPreps365.com

Many Horizon Honors student-athletes compete in cross-country to stay in shape for other sports they may be a part of.

The Eagles' senior Liam Proctor has been a cross-country member his entire time in high school. This is the first year the team has sent both boys’ and girls’ teams to the 2A conference state championship. Proctor couldn’t be more excited about the commitment and passion he's received since he was named co-captain last season.  

“I don’t think anybody’s a born leader, I believe all that stuff is made," Liam Proctor said. 

The program has grown and more than doubled since the original seven runners from Proctor's freshman year. He has seen it all, and HH head coach David Sheveland has as well. They both stuck with it, and the hard work is paying off in terms of results and support for the team. 

Proctor doesn’t shy away from his captain role. He has been with the K-12 school HH since kindergarten. However, he was named the captain of Desert Vista’s varsity hockey team, its rival school. 

HH doesn’t have a hockey team, so for Proctor to go into a new school and program and take over the leadership role is quite an achievement.  He is a starting winger for Desert Vista, and registered a total of 25 points in 19 games last season (11 goals, 14 assists).

HH head coach Dave Sheveland speaks very highly of Proctor as a leader, team player, and athlete on and off the field.

Proctor joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), a volunteer organization associated with the U.S. Air Force, when he was 12 years old. He hopes to be on his way to the Air Force Academy after he graduates from HH this spring. He credits his leadership skills to joining the CAP.

“They push each other. If one kid slacks, then that could cause you not to go to states. We got some really good captains that encourage their teammates to do their best,” Sheveland said when asked about what type of preparation the team goes through prior to a meet. 

Those captains he’s talking about are senior co-captain Proctor and Antonio Arellano.

Liam has played hockey from August to March every year since he was a kid. Transitioning into a multi-sport athlete has only helped improve his game.  He started running cross-country and track in eighth grade and has stuck with it ever since. 

Running cross-country and track allows him to stay in shape throughout the year and build stamina for those intense line changes and shifts in hockey. 

Cross-country and hockey seasons both start in August, so when he’s not running, he’s on the ice. He runs track in the spring to continue to build his stamina for the cross-country and hockey seasons.

Playing three sports is a big commitment for Proctor as well as being in school full time. But Liam views it as a great way to build relationships and make friends.  Playing hockey has been Proctor's passion since he was a kid, and he hopes to continue his journey and make more relationships while doing what he loves.