Sports

Former Northville High School Athlete Finds Success in MSU Running Club

Colin Riley, who recently placed fourth in the Jingle Bell Run/Walk, has improved his running times after joining the student club.

When Colin Riley graduated from as the captain of the cross country and track teams, it was not the end of the road for him as a competitive runner.

He has been running at Michigan State University in a student club, for which he serves as secretary. It is part of the National Intercollegiate Running Club Association. Riley, a sophomore, had his heart set on attending MSU but did not make the school’s cross country team, he said. Luckily, he found the student running club.

“It really excited me that there was this opportunity to do this,” Riley said. “The fact there is this club option is cool…I’m faster now than I was in high school.”

Find out what's happening in Northvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For example, in the NIRCA championship earlier this year, Riley ran an 8K in 26:42:00, according to the group website.

"I want to be good at it. So I’m out here running 50-60 miles a week. I want to take running as far as it goes," he said.

Find out what's happening in Northvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The student group runs together around the school area five days a week. They also compete in meets against other student clubs around the country. The club has participated in meets as far as North Carolina, Indiana and Chicago. Locally, Riley ran in the Jingle Bell Run at where he placed fourth. The students in the club learn from and motivate each other.

“It’s pretty much like a varsity team. We’re the coaches instead of having a professional guy coaching us,” he said. “I just want to keep getting faster.”

His former Northville High School coach Chris Cronin said he is not surprised that Riley has remained a competitive runner in college.

“He’s been one of the guys that’s kept in touch with the program,” Cronin said. “As an alumni of our program, he comes back and runs with the guys in the summer."

Cronin added, “Colin’s very much a solid all around guy. Running is a big passion for him.”

When Riley graduates, with a degree in history and English, he wants to become a teacher and coach.

“The more I learn about running, the more I want to coach, to learn the ins and outs,” he said. “I really have a passion for it.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Northville