For most athletes, switching sports is an obstacle in their way. For Jack Stansell, this was an opportunity to challenge himself and inspire others through running cross country.

Although Stansell is a sophomore from Watkinsville, Ga., it was in Tybee Island where he knew he wanted to make the transition from running triathlons to strictly running cross country.

Stansell was 14 when he visited Tybee Island to run a triathlon with his family. Not only did he win the triathlon, but he had the best 5k out of all competitors, including adults.

Stansell says he would always come out behind in the swim and bike, and leave it to his impeccable running ability to catch up to everyone else. This specific performance left Stansell and his family shocked by how well he ran.

"I'm a lot better at the running part than the swimming and biking so maybe I should drop the swimming and biking and focus on running," he said.

Stansell soon discovered the joy only running brought him. He shared that his passion for running went even deeper once he learned it was in his blood.

"When I would go out on a run there was just something about it that just attracted me more to it. It helped a lot that during that time I realized my mom ran in college. She didn't really talk too much about it until then, but she ran at Appalachian State," Stansell said. "When I heard that, I was like this is kind of in my blood so to be able to carry on another generation is something I've always been pretty proud of."

Dedicating his time to running has taught him much more than just how to run faster. It has taught Stansell how to approach obstacles in life in a way he didn't know before.

"I think it's taught me perseverance. I feel like everybody has struggles in life, and not everybody knows how to go through those struggles which is normal for everyone. When something happened in my life before I began to run, I didn't know how to work through it," he said. "Since I started to run, it has helped me develop those skills to keep pushing through tough times."

This mindset has helped Stansell face and overcome many challenges on and off the track, like injuries.

He didn't let those injuries set him back. Most notably, in high school, he was attempting to break the five-minute time for a mile. During the attempt, he suffered a miniscule tear in his calf ending his season. He claims what he struggled with most wasn't even physical.

"When you're hurt as a runner you kind of feel helpless and that you can't contribute to the team. I still tried to be with the squad as much as I could, but you know it's hard. I had a little bit of a setback earlier this cross-country season but was able to conquer it by taking one day at a time."

Stansell knows he's not the only one who faces adversity in life. He views cross country as an avenue that has taught him how to overcome these difficulties in life with a different perspective. He sees his story as an opportunity to inspire and encourage someone through their own obstacle.

Stansell has advice for others in a similar situation.

"I think just take it slow and enjoy each day is my advice to younger athletes. When I was in high school, I was seeing kids commit to Division I schools and I think it's important to remember to take it slow and enjoy the process."

To match his wisdom far beyond his years, Stansell possesses speed of the same magnitude. Earlier this season, he ran a time of 25:01.0 at the North Alabama Showcase making it his career-best time in the 8K.

Stansell faced many obstacles of his own in deciding to focus solely on cross country. What came of it was an opportunity to show others they too can overcome anything attempting to interfere with their progress in life, on or off the track.