State Podium Finisher Signs with UC Davis

Senior Dylan Gunn has committed to the University of California, Davis as a part of their D1 track and field and cross country program.

It was the “coaching, quality of life, campus, and of course the academics,” that made UC Davis a “pretty easy decision,” for Gunn. According to Gunn, UC Davis seemed like “a good place to have a new home,” and somewhere where he “could really get better.”

Track and cross country coach Chuck Woolridge, foresees it to be “challenging,” for Gunn to “balance the demands of an academic schedule and the demands of an athletic schedule that expects him to perform at that elite level.”

However, Woolridge thinks that Davis “does a good job of supporting their athletes,” and knows that Gunn “will have access to a lot of great resources that will support him academically.”

“I would expect that, like other division 1 coaches I know, the coaching staff at Davis is going to recognize Dylan [Gunn] for his great character and his willingness to be a team player,” said Woolridge.

Ever since he began his running career in 3rd grade, Gunn has wanted to do it “as often and as long as possible at a high level.”

“I’ve always enjoyed competing and it wasn’t something I really had to think about,” said Gunn.

Gunn’s passion for the sport became evident to Woolridge from very early on. According to Woolridge, even as a freshman, Gunn “distinguished himself very early as somebody who was really invested in the sport, really committed to his own personal improvement.”

“Although he [Gunn] had a few blips in terms of injury issues through those early years, it was evident that he had an exceptional talent for the sport,” added Woolridge.

During his 4 years with the Campolindo cross country and track and field programs, Gunn has become a role model and leader for teammates.

According to Woolridge, Gunn has become “intentional” with “the way he conducts himself at practice and the way he leads and motivates teammates.”

Gunn’s teammate, senior Owen Lekki said that as Gunn has “matured as a runner,” he has “truly taken the role of team captain, and has become better at creating a welcoming environment for the other runners.”

“He [Gunn] has always led by example and has always been an inspiration to the rest of us,” said Lekki.

According to Gunn, the support he has received from friends, family, teammates, and even competitors since announcing his commitment to UC Davis has “been awesome.”

Lekki said he is “excited for him [Gunn] to figure it out” in regards to UC Davis and running at a high level.