Shane Artis likes to be challenged. An injury limited how much he could train for track and cross country early in his high school career, so he took on swimming as a way of getting the added work that he needed.

As it turned out, Artis became pretty good at the sport and has done well in the pool and in his track and cross country endeavors. In announcing his decision to attend The Citadel after high school to participate in track and field and cross country, Artis explained that his choice was made in part because he was looking to be challenged.

“I wanted something that was going to be a bit more rigorous and challenging than just a normal school,” said Artis. “Being a military academy, The Citadel offers plenty of rigorous work and really challenges you to be your best in every area of life. They’re strong academically and physically, in sports, so it was really what I was looking for in a college.”

During his freshman season in cross country, Artis stepped in a hole and broke his knee,

He had planned on playing basketball that winter, but couldn’t because of the injury. One of the members of the cross country team was going into the Coast Guard and convinced Artis to join the swimming team with him.

As it turned out, Artis loved swimming enough that he never returned to the idea of playing basketball and instead, has stuck with using swimming, cross-country and track as training for each of the other sports that he participates in at Salisbury High School.

Artis developed his love for track and cross-country before he even reached high school, but was undecided about continuing in high school.

“I was debating it, but I had been running for so long that I felt like I should just continue it,” he said.

“Shane was blessed with inherent speed as a runner, but he really worked hard to develop that ability and have success in the sport,” said Salisbury cross country coach Theresa Bruns. “He’s got a great work ethic and is a quiet leader on the team and it’s been a complete joy to watch him develop and grow up to where he is right now academically and athletically.”

Artis has competed in both districts and at states in both track and cross country and has shown progress every season throughout his high school career.

Looking back on his time at Salisbury, Artis will take away some special memories thanks to his involvement in sports, but also has an appreciation for what he accomplished academically that has also enabled him to attend a school such as The Citadel.

“I’m going to remember most of my teachers who really helped me academically and inspired me,” said Artis, who plans on majoring in accounting. “My coaches have all been very important and the kids that have been on the team with me throughout the years and the support they gave to me.”

As for his trips to states, Artis has appreciated the opportunities, but also remembers the trips for the fun that he was able to have with teammates along the way to states.

“The first trip to states was obviously just a really rewarding feeling to finally get there,” said Artis. “Every time that I’ve gone, I’ve had a blast and it’s just amazing to be there and have the opportunity to race against the best in the state.”