Running with Passion: Freshman Henry Marien-Brovont’s journey through playing high-level soccer and boys cross country

Freshman Henry Marien-Brovont came into Shawnee Mission East running. 

His love for soccer and all things running secured him a varsity position on the boys cross country team, the only freshman to do so. He also joined three other freshmen playing JV soccer. His passion stretched far before he set foot into the East halls — he’s been running and kicking a soccer ball since he was three.

Being a freshman on upper-level teams is bound to be difficult in scheduling and with building relationships, with varying skill levels and age barriers with team members. While he has his occasional challenges with catching up with homework and getting to sleep at a good time, he’s always at practice ready to do his best.

Marien-Brovont’s coaches have a collective agreement about his attitude during games and practices, he’s always going the extra mile to make his team’s experience the best it can be.

“Henry is the most respectful student athlete I’ve met in a long time,” Marien-Brovont’s soccer coach Aaron Wisenflu said. “He’s focused, extremely hard working and supportive of his teammates. He showed up every day prepared and ready to give 100%. He is extremely positive and learns quickly.”

Marien-Brovont has since played in elementary teams and in a few high-level leagues playing for LEGENDS year-round as he’s gotten older, while his love for cross country blossomed when he started formally running in eighth grade. 

“I like the feeling of running,” Marien-Brovont said. “Sometimes it helps you get your stress out or whatever you’re thinking about at the moment.”

Marien-Brovont won his elementary school’s 5k when he was in third grade and set a school record for his speed and endurance in the pacer test. His running skills have been with him from day one, getting recommendations from teachers before he even deliberated trying out for the team.

Marien-Brovont plays on the soccer field all five weekdays, hour-and-a-half practices three days a week and two games each week. He’s made an effort to come to 5:30 a.m. cross country practices on Wednesdays when his schedule is open to both improve his ability but also to connect with the team.

“There are 20 kids on my [soccer] team and three other freshmen are on the team,” Marien-Brovont said. “I think that definitely helped me ease into the season, but with not being there during cross country I made sure to come a couple of times to morning practice to build bonds.”

With all of his efforts to both come to practice but to have the best attitude going forward, high-level sports can be difficult to time manage.

“Having to go to soccer every day and cross country every day after soccer ends, and finding time to do my homework and then having busy mornings at 5 a.m. going to Wednesday practice was definitely challenging,” Marien-Brovont said.

Marien-Brovont uses a scheduling system and communicates with all of his teachers and coaches.

“At the beginning of each week I would go over my schedule and schedule my rides to my games, and also communicate with my coaches about how I could prepare on my own for a race or game,” Marien-Brovont said.

While this season has kept him on his feet, it’s been nothing short of successful with his soccer team going undefeated in the league with an overall record of 14-1 and the boys cross country team placing ninth at state. 

Marien-Brovont wants to continue playing and making time to do the best that he can to support his heavy love for all things running.

“There’s nothing like the feeling of scoring goals or finishing a run, it’s what drives me to play,” Marien-Brovont said.