The next Geiger

Sam Geiger was born to run.

His mother, Sherrie, became an All-American in cross country and a national champion in the 3,000 meters for the University of Idaho. She also is a member of the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

His brother, Shane, took third place at the state cross country championship during his senior year at Camas High School in 2007. He also held the school’s 1,600-meter record on the track for 10 years, before state champion Daniel Maton broke it on May 27.

While coaching her older son at the high school, Sherrie Geiger remembers picking Sam up from preschool and bringing him to practice with her. It didn’t take long for Sam to start chasing Shane and the rest of the Papermakers.

“He would go around and around the track at 4 years old, and just kept running,” Sherrie said. “I stopped him at like three miles. I always had to stop him.”

Sam doesn’t remember that story, but it makes the 14-year-old smile.

“It comes in the genes, I guess,” he said.

In September, it will be time for the next Geiger to run through Camas High School. Sam recently got the opportunity to meet future teammates Maton and Jackson Lyne at the Portland Track Festival.

“It’s going to be amazing,” Sam said. “I just want to improve every day.”

Sam Geiger is a three-time district track champion for Liberty Middle School in the 800 and the 1,600.

“It’s been spectacular,” he said. “I’ve had amazing teammates, and they keep cheering me on every day.”

On June 3, Sam earned sixth place in the 15-16 boys 800, with a personal best time of 2 minutes, 5.79 seconds, at the Portland Youth Meet, at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, Oregon.

On June 11, Geiger grabbed fourth place in the middle school boys mile run, with a personal best time of 4:44.88, at the Portland Track Festival, at Lewis & Clark College.

“It’s amazing because there’s a crowd cheering you on in the homestretch,” Geiger said. “I was really hoping I could get a PR in both those of races, and I smashed them.”

Sam still looks up to his brother, Shane, and takes his advice to heart.

“He tells me that if anyone is with me with 200 or 100 meters to go, it’s my race. I need to kick in and just give it all I got,” Sam said. “I know he’s going to be me watching me. I’ve got to come out and compete.”

He finds running to be the perfect remedy to stress caused by school work and other challenges in life.

“Since we live by so many trails, it’s a great way to get outside and get some fresh air,” Sam said. “I usually go with some of my friends. It’s nice because I can have conversations with them while we’re running. I’m looking forward to making more friends on the trails and tracks.”