Milwaukee City Wire

In 2022, Sam Blascyk, then a junior at Duluth East High School in Minnesota, faced an unusual question: "How much do mosquitos bother you?" This inquiry came just before he and three friends set out on the 68-mile border route, an offshoot of the Superior Hiking Trail in the Boundary Waters between Minnesota and Canada. "It was an idea that was just spontaneously thought of at practice one day and we all said we'd do it," Blascyk recalled. Despite skepticism from their parents, who were concerned about the spontaneity of the plan, the group pressed forward with their adventure.

Blascyk shared that they consulted a friend's father who had previously completed the trail. He warned them it would be more challenging than anticipated and might take a week to finish. However, the group aimed to complete it in 48-50 hours. "Everyone telling us there was no way just made us want to do it more," he stated.

Their preparation for this challenge wasn't extensive. "Living in Duluth, we had plenty of experience trail running whether on our own or in practice," Blascyk explained. As they began their trek with a goal of finishing within two days, Blascyk noted that none of them had second thoughts. The journey proved more difficult than expected due to treacherous trails and heat. They managed to maintain their pace by covering 20-30 miles daily while sleeping for two nights.

Reflecting on his family background, Blascyk acknowledged how his father's collegiate running experience at Minnesota State-Moorhead influenced him. "It makes it so that when things get hard or I'm trying to reach my goals my family can support me," he said.

Ultimately, they succeeded in completing the trail in about 50 hours, disproving parental doubts. Now as a freshman runner at college, Blascyk draws on this experience as he competes as a Panther. "It challenges you mentally so much," he mentioned about long-distance runs with no immediate escape but forward progress.

Looking ahead to his first college season, Blascyk expressed modest ambitions: "I just want to see how much I can improve." He emphasized staying healthy amid heightened competition levels and exploring his potential speed.