Christopher Henry wants to be a doctor.

His start on that noble path may be delayed by a year, however, while his application is approved.

If it is delayed, he has a really good back-up plan though.

Henry is Wyoming's highly-decorated distance runner who just graduated in Molecular Biology and Physiology with a perfect 4.0 grade-point-average. He went through his collegiate career with nothing but A's. In fact in his educational career, he's never gotten a B, never, ever.

The Laramie native wants to attend medical school with a concentration on emergency medicine or pediatrics.  "I'm leaning toward emergency medicine," he says.  "I really like the idea of being in high-intensity situations.  I would like those situations rather than being in a routine."

It's likely that Chris will have to wait on that dream.  Currently he is an alternate and may even have to wait until August to learn for sure if medical school is in his immediate future.

In the meantime he will re-apply to UW—I have a feeling he won't have a problem getting in--and finish a major in Psychology.  He had been taking a number of electives in that discipline, and could earn the degree this coming year.  

"I can't think of a better backup plan while waiting for med school that coming back and competing with my teammates for one last season," he says, "especially since I didn't get an opportunity to compete this spring.  Psychology is super interesting to me, and since it is health-related I figure it will help me down the road. Coming back will give me some finality to my college athletic career."

Chris, who is the fourth brother to graduate from Wyoming, redshirted his freshman season so he does have one year of eligibility remaining for both indoor and outdoor track seasons. That is very good news for the Cowboy track and field program.

Not only is he a three-time Academic All-Mountain West selection, as well as an Academic All-American, but he is all-league in three distance events, the 3,000 meters, the 5,000 meters and the 10,000 meters. He is Wyoming's record-holder in the indoor 3,000 meters.  He also is in the school's Top 10 in both the 5,000 and the 10,000. While he has no eligibility remaining in cross country, he also is a two-time NCAA Cross Country National Championship competitor.

Older brother Jonah, also outstanding in distance events and cross country, graduated a year ago, and younger brother Phillip is currently competing in both cross country and track and field. Eldest brother, Josh, also is a Wyoming grad, and is studying to be a doctor.

"Early on we all played soccer," Chris says of he and his brothers.  "Of course you do a lot of running in that sport. But we all enjoyed running together as a family, and it just naturally grew into wanting to do it competitively.  We are a very competitive family. The great thing about running is you don't need a court or a field to do it. You can do it pretty much anytime, anywhere, and I really love that."

Henry had some college choices when he graduated from Laramie High School.  "I was pretty set on Wyoming, but Columbia showed interest in me.  But price was certainly a consideration there, and I felt I would really miss my family and running with my brothers.  It was absolutely the best choice I could have made."  

Long-distance running obviously is Chris' love.  Does he like one event over another? "I go back and forth with that," he says.  "Some cross country courses are really interesting which makes that fun.  But I think the 3,000 is my favorite race.  I am able to stay focused during that race, while with cross country, the 5,000 or the 10,000 I have to re-focus at some point during the race.  I think the 10,000 may be my best event, though."

If medical school is not in his immediate plan, running for the Cowboys while working in a hospital or clinic would be ideal. Coming back for a fifth year is certainly a major decision for him but he sees a lot of positives in doing that.  

"I was missing the team and the competition," he says, "so coming back will be fun.  I'm not necessarily looking forward to the winter outdoor workouts, but I love being with my teammates and competing. One of the things that the virus and all of this situation has taught me is how much interaction with my team and my friends meant to me.  I didn't really realize how important it was until it was taken away.

"Beyond the friendships I have some specific goals in mind for the indoor and outdoor seasons," he continues. "I want to PR in all of my events and I want to qualify for indoor and outdoor nationals.  There are a lot of things I can improve."

The fact of the matter is, however, that medical school is not totally out of the question just yet, according to Chris. "I know I am an alternate which means I have a slim chance for it to happen this year. I should hear one way or the other in August.  There could be an opening, but more than likely I will be looking to come back to Wyoming for my fifth year. If med school is not to be this year, I think I have learned some things about the process, and will do some things differently for next year's application.   Hopefully I can get more experience working in the health world during the season which will give me more insight into why medicine is for me. I think the first application experience will help me be more prepared for the next one.

There's no question Chris wants to get going on his future in medicine sooner than later.  But running for Wyoming one more year will be just fine with him.  It'll be just fine with the track program too.