Name: Logan Wetzel
School: Saline High School, Saline, Michigan
Logan Wetzel is one of the most successful prep runners in the state of Michigan. The Saline High School graduate was the anchor behind many of the 'Spirit of Pre' All-American teams - including this spring's national title-winning DMR (10:04.52) and national runner-up 4x800m (7:39.67). The DMR win marked Saline's third consecutive victory at New Balance! Wetzel is also an individual All-American and ran his personal best of 4:04.6 in the Mile to place fifth at the adidas Dream Mile.
Personal Bests:
800: 1:52.5
1500: 3:48.6
1600: 4:03.1
Mile: 4:04.6
What was your most memorable race/competition?
Three way tie between winning the 2015 MHSAA T&F Team State Championship, the great battle I had with Jack Salisbury at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix and running in the incredible field at the Adidas Dream Mile.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
Running against guys like Grant Fisher, Donovan Brazier, Ryan Robinson and Ben Hill in our State alone was like competing in national championships regularly, but I would have to say the fields at the New Balance Grand Prix, the Adidas Dream Mile and USATF Jrs. were made up of the who's who of HS running and I was very honored to be included amongst them.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
Running with my teammates and anchoring the Saline DMR squads to three consecutive New Balance DMR National Championships!
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
Absolutely nothing. My experience in high school with all of my coaches, teammates, family, friends and the national running community took me far beyond just the simple act of running. The life lessons and all of the people that I was exposed to was incredible.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
At the tail end of my freshman year and just prior to the 2012 Michigan State T&F Championships, I suffered a knee injury that required significant surgery. Subsequently, I went from being the top freshman in the country to the invisible man, missing the MI. State Championships, New Balance Nationals and World Jrs. The mental and physical challenges were far greater than I could have ever anticipated and it took me from that point until my senior year to essentially learn to walk and then run at a competitive level once again.
What will you miss the most?
The camaraderie and brotherhood that was forged between all of my teammates on the Track & XC Teams.
What advice you would give to younger athletes?
Listen to and follow your coaches' instructions and the same as below, running is gift, do not take it for granted.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
I was extremely fortunately have a Coach, Mentor, Best Friend and Motivator all rolled into one and I would hope the same for all HS runners. He taught me that running is the sum of the whole and not just the act or the individual. Planning and preparation was of the utmost priority whether executing a race plan or life plan. All of the tools that he instilled in me from the Track and XC fields will carry forward into my new adventure of competing at the collegiate level and even further into my business and personal life. Simply put, the most inspiring man I have met. 
What are your college plans?
I am very proud to say that I will be a Villanova Wildcat running for Coaches Marcus O'Sullivan and Mark Carberry and some of the best runners in the country. I will be majoring in Medical sciences, leading to a Masters in Kinesiology.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
Coaches Spina, Leslie, Kitto, Broe, Warhurst, Barnett, Stern, Wenk, Dr.Alderink, All of my family, friends and the entire community of Saline, MI. All of these people stood by me at my most difficult time and never dropped their support and would not allow me to relinquish my self-belief. They taught me perseverance and gave me the mental and physical strength which allowed me to return.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Train and run like today is the last day that you will ever run again. Run for those that no longer have the ability to run and for those that were unfortunately never given this gift. Above all, never give up on your dreams!
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