The Galveston County Daily News

FRIENDSWOOD — When James Gregory learned the Mustangs game on Friday would be at home, he let out of a big sigh of relief.

The senior now will be able to get a few extra hours of sleep in preparation for the Region III-4A cross country meet this morning. The bus leaves for Humble at 7 a.m., which means a 6 a.m. wake-up call.

Gregory runs cross country and also plays in the Mustang band. A road football game would have meant a long bus ride back to Friendswood and possibly not getting to bed until after midnight. That’s not exactly how Gregory wanted to prepare for his third straight region cross country meet.

“I’m glad we’re playing at home,” Gregory said. “It’ll buy me a couple extra hours of sleep.”

Gregory’s life is a balancing act. He returned from the state marching band contest in San Antonio on Tuesday, where Friendswood took second. It was his second time at the competition.

On Wednesday, Gregory went back to school. He ran in the evening, his first practice in a few days since he was in San Antonio. Gregory mostly was confined to a hotel room and competition, though he did jog in place for several minutes.

It was the only thing he could do to stay in shape and somewhat prepare for his final regional.

“I do the best I can,” Gregory said.

Gregory often gets asked whether he prefers cross country or band. He shrugs his shoulder and says both.

“I love them both,” Gregory said. “I guess you have to make some sacrifices, and I didn’t want to give them both up.”

The consequences for his decision, to pursue both at high level, are costly. His schedule resembles that of an investment banker more than a high school student.

Gregory arrives at school at 6 a.m. for band practice. He finishes at 7:45 and starts running at 8 a.m. He goes through first period, which he conveniently has scheduled off, before showering and going to class. On Mondays, band practices starts after school, and Fridays, of course, involve football games until late in the night. It makes getting up on Saturday mornings for meets that usually start at 9 a.m. particularly hard.

And that doesn’t include practice time for his saxophone or homework.

“I don’t know how he does it,” Friendswood cross country coach Steve Haffelder said. “He’s just a great kid.”

The hectic schedule does cause Gregory to miss out on some events. He can’t attend team dinners — usually spaghetti to load up on carbohydrates. Instead, Gregory gets a Whataburger, with cheese, on his way home from the football game.

But Gregory wouldn’t change any of it. He makes the necessary events and he’s learned how to adjust. He sleeps very well on buses and drinks water throughout the day. Every time he sees a water fountain, he stops for one minute to drink.

Gregory plans to run in college and do music — but not marching band. He wants to become a mechanical engineer and go to Texas A&M.

But first, he has his sights set on his third straight berth to the state cross country meet.

This year hasn’t been his best — Gregory finished sixth in district in 2008 before finishing eighth in this season. Still, he’s been good enough and believes a solid finish will propel Friendswood to a ninth straight state meet appearance.

And the Mustangs have complete confidence in Gregory, and possibly hopes for a first ever state title under Haffelder.

“He’s so dedicated,” Haffelder said. “With what he’s been able to do, I never doubt James.”