Each week during the school year the Sarasota Herald-Tribune selects boys athletes that stood out the week before based on a combination of coach reports and school nominations sent to sports [email protected] and our coverage. Those athletes are put in a poll sponsored by Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, Inc. each Monday on heraldtribune.com and you, our readers, vote on who you think did it best. To get to know our winners better, the Herald-Tribune will have a question-and-answer session with each athlete weekly.
The Herald-Tribune Boys Athlete of the Week sponsored by Central Florida Behavioral Health Network for Nov. 10-15, 2025, was Venice High cross country runner Nolan Heaney, who won the poll with 57.83% of the vote. The top local finisher at the 4A-3 meet, Heaney completed the five kilometers in 15:53.7.
Venice High cross country runner Nolan Heaney was voted the Herald-Tribune Boys Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, for the week of Nov. 10-15, 2025.When and why did you start running?
Heaney: I started running because back in eighth grade I was running pacer tests, and my teachers told me how impressive I was, so they told me to start running for the cross country team, so I said, 'Sure, why not? Let's do it.'
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat was your favorite moment this season?
Heaney: Almost breaking the school record. I was off the record by like five seconds. And I made it to states as a guy, and that hasn't happened (at Venice) since 2022.
What is your favorite all-time running memory?
Heaney: The North Port Invitational when I ran my personal record of 15:47. It was important to me because it's a closer course and it's something I had been excited about since the start of summer. I was always bringing it up. The goal was to make it to states, but honestly, I think running North Port was more fun because it's a faster course, and I actually think there was more competition there than the actual state meet.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat keeps you going in running?
Heaney: I think to myself all the time, I look in the mirror and say, 'Where would I be if I wasn't running today?' Having that mindset means a lot to me because I know I have so much potential to become even faster than I am now. I think to myself, I can keep improving, and that's going to make me a better runner.
What is your goal in running?
Heaney: To go to college and run, because that's what I want to continue to do. Overall, though, it's about changing who I am and the person I used to be. Before running, I had no hobbies. I was just there, doing nothing, just always on my phone. Having that thing changed a lot because now I have to eat right. I have to get the right amount of sleep. I go to bed every night at 9:30. It gives me a reason to get off my phone.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat has been your most humbling moment in running?
Heaney: The state meet. The night before I ran, I guess I didn't recover enough, and I thought I was ready to go out there, get a state medal, and it would be a piece of cake. It turns out it was harder than I expected. I was ranked 25th, and I ended up getting 93rd. I'm learning from my mistakes, and I'm going to change those.
Who inspires you in running?
Heaney: My dad. He's always been to every meet that I've ran since freshman year. He always calls out my time and my splits. He yells my position, and where I need to be. He's just always been there for me ever since I was a kid, and it means a lot to me. I also want to thank my coaches because they challenged me a lot compared to last year when it comes to mileage and my diet. They gave me everything possible I needed to go out there and do it.
Herald-Tribune Athlete of the Week sponsored by Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, Inc.Editor's note: Athlete of the Week Q&As are published in the Sunday sports section.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Herald-Tribune Boys Athlete of Week winner Venice High's Nolan Heaney
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