Rutgers–Camden Track Star Sets Pace for Success

Who knew the Scarlet Raptor was so quick on foot? Maybe it’s just the lightening pace of senior cross country runner Travis Stewart.

Becoming the first All-American in the history of the Rutgers–Camden men’s cross country program last fall hasn’t slowed down Stewart, who broke a 10-year school record just this month.

At the New Jersey Invitational, the economics major finished the 3,000-meter race in 8:49.72, beating the program mark of 9:19, set by Tom Thomasson, current manager of recreation services, in 1999.

And just last week, Stewart beat his own best time for the 5,000-meter race in 15:20.34 and finished second out of 24 runners at the Widener Invitational.

Training in an urban environment like Camden, the cross country team has gotten creative with their running routes. The team runs along the Camden Waterfront, across the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, and has interval training in front of the penitentiary.

“The team has been all over the city and being on the roads has allowed us to realize the amount of potential that lies within the City of Camden,” notes the Runnemede resident.

And Stewart isn’t just fast on his feet. He has also been honored by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s 2008 Men’s Cross Country All-Academic Team. Not to mention his membership in Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international economics honors society.

Stewart was joined by his teammates, who were named as one of the 103 All-Academic Men’s Cross Country Teams for carrying above the required 3.10 cumulative grade-point average. Individually, a student must carry a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade-point average and must finish in the top 25 percent of the field at their respective NCAA regional meet.

The Triton Regional High School graduate became the first All-American in the history of the Rutgers-Camden program when he finished 29th out of 278 runners in the 8K men’s national championship at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships race last fall.

After graduation, Stewart plans on pursuing a graduate degree in economics. “Ideally, I would like to further my education in combination with training for the Olympic Trials Marathon in 2012.”