DENTON--After two and a half years at North Texas, cross-country runner Silvester Harrison has graduated early with a degree in biochemistry.

Harrison still has five semesters of eligibility to be a top distance runner for North Texas, and he will continue to further his academics in the form of a master’s degree.

“Some weeks it was more difficult than others, but it definitely taught me discipline,” he said. “The most difficult thing is not the time spent training, but the fatigue and overall malaise felt after training that hinders your studying.”

Harrison was named to the 2013-2014 C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll. He was also the valedictorian of his graduating class at Ellison High School in Killeen.

“Silvester has exceptional time management skills. For high academic achievers like Silvester, it is a balancing act, and sometimes it takes time to learn how to balance it all,” head cross-country coach Stefanie Slekis said. “He has mastered that quite early in his college career, so I'm excited for what he can accomplish in his last five collegiate seasons.

The 2014 season was the best season for North Texas cross-country in recent program history, as well as the first Conference USA Cross-Country Championship. Harrison placed 15th in the cross-country championships with a time of 25:03.7, securing the win for the North Texas men’s team.

For next season, Harrison says that a big goal of his is to help get the cross country team to nationals for the first time ever.

“Silvester's individual achievements would be a huge part of making getting to nationals happen, and he wants to be as close as possible to qualify for nationals individually at the south central regional cross country meet. He is looking to be on the podium at the conference meet in an individual event both indoor (5k) and out door (10k),” said Slekis. “He also has his sights set on breaking 29:30 for 10,000m on the track, which should be the mark he needs to solidify a spot at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field West Prelim, the first round of nationals.”

Obviously an astute student, Harrison has some tips that helped him succeed in his undergrad classes.

“I have always believed writing down notes in class instead of just reading power points helps,” he suggested. “I also bring four different color pens for class, and it helps make my notes pop out to me a little more.”