"I acknowledge the weirdness element of running, but I enjoy getting up, going out and accomplishing something," said Stanton-Geddes. "Sometimes it can be seen as just a run, but other times it's a test and a real effort just to finish. There's a certain mental and physical thrill to pushing your body to the max nearly every day."
For the past two years, Stanton-Geddes has been giving the sport of running everything he has and has seen great results. Last Saturday after his 1500-meter race, Stanton-Geddes was able to cut off the bracelet he's kept on since he set a goal eight months ago of qualifying for Nationals.
Since his arrival at Amherst, Stanton-Geddes has been a two-time DIII New England Runner, a two-time All-ECAC runner, a provisional national qualifier in the 1500-meter and a leader on and off the track.
With few upperclassmen on the cross-country and track teams, Stanton-Geddes found himself in a leadership position while he was still living in James Hall.
When his friend and training partner Mike Page '04 decided to take a year off from school, Stanton-Geddes found himself taking his training and his leadership role even more seriously.
There was, however, life before college. In high school in St. Louis, Mo., Stanton-Geddes was a three-time all-state runner and the St. Louis area runner-of-the-year for cross country his senior year. Division I schools were beckoning, but Stanton-Geddes opted for the more laid-back atmosphere of DIII running.
He also opted for the choice of Amherst over Williams. "[Coach Erik Nedeau] and I see eye to eye on almost everything, which has made for a great coaching relationship, and has made Amherst the right place for me," said Stanton-Geddes.
If there's one word to describe Stanton-Geddes' style of racing, it's consistent. "John's a tough racer who comes to race and give 100 percent every time he steps to the line," said Nedeau. "With him, I know what I am going to get each time out there as he is consistent and reliable on race days and on workout day."
"Despite only being a sophomore he is the go-to guy. He lays it on the line and you can count on that every time out and the other guys on the team are starting to do exactly that as well," added Nedeau.
Stanton-Geddes is consistently in the front of the pack during races and workouts. "Training, preparation and confidence are what make good distance runners, so that's what I aim to do," explained Stanton-Geddes.
Judging by the cuts and bruises all over John's body, you'd think he was a football player instead of a distance runner. Over the past two months of racing, Stanton-Geddes has been pushed down, knocked around and spiked in a number of close races.
While the bruises may be testament to his physical strength, it's his ability to come through in tight races that displays an impressive amount of mental tenacity.
"Almost every close race has a breaking point and I've learned that's where you have to lay it on the line and find out what you are made of," said Stanton-Geddes. "I tell myself 'It's now or never' and then I give it my all." The ability to fight where others would give up is what makes Stanton-Geddes a true runner, and a superb athlete.