IU runner distances himself from pack

Two years ago, at the Penn Relays, senior track and cross country runner Tom Burns impatiently awaited his race in the 3,000-meter steeple chase. With the starting gunshot he quickly set his pace in the middle of the pack. Lap by lap, he slowly began kicking his feet up quicker and pumping his fists harder, contending with the big names in the NCAA. \nThat day no one expected the sophomore from Hammond to make a move against the other, better-known runners in the country, but Burns quickly stole the attention from everyone as he out-sprinted the field and received second place, only 12 hundredths of a second behind the first place finisher.. \nHis performance was not because of good weather conditions or a "feel good day," instead it was because of the hard work he had put, and continues to put, into each and every day of practice. Burns runs over 100 miles a week in cross country, leaving him little time to complain of pain, rest or homework. He just does what he has to do with no questions asked.\n"In this sport we don't need a verbal leader," Burns said. "We just need people to lead by example. So I would say I'm a leader." \nBurns leads a solid team. Teammate and good friend Stephan Haas said Burns performs at his fullest potential everyday. "(Tom) definitely leads by example," Haas said. "He never treats a practice different from a race day. He doesn't complain and does what he has to do." \nBurns sees himself as a naturally talented runner. The same could be said about his intelligence. Leaving high school, Burns had a 4.0 grade point average and arrived at IU with 15 credit hours. \nBurns majors in mathematics and is looking for an occupation in finance; however, most employers seek a business degree for the jobs he is applying for. Although this may be true, Burns knows employers look for more than a degree. They want a good balance of characteristics in who they hire. \n"I realized that a high GPA is important to people. So, I put a lot of work into it," he said. "But employers look for a good mix in who they hire, like extracurriculars and smarts." \nIU men's cross country team has a very close knit group of guys. Junior teammate John Jefferson said that Burns is the older guy who makes it all mesh. \n"Tom is definitely the guy who brings the team together," Jefferson said. "When we are running long runs, he is the one who gets it going." \nThe entire team feeds off of one another in many different aspects. \n"Tom is usually working on something, but if anyone needs help with homework, he will always make sure to help them out," Haas said. \nThe difficulty in having to do homework and run over 100 miles a week is unimaginable to many. \n"Running isn't for everybody," Burns said. "Remember, our sport is the punishment for other sports."\n-- Contact staff writer Ricardo Hernandez at rihernan@indiana.edu