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Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete Of The Month: East Alton-Wood River Senior Excels in Athletics and Academics
Taven Wardein balances rigorous training with a GPA above 4.0 while setting personal records in cross country and track events.
Apr 13, 2026 12:04 PM
Apr 14, 2026 10:58 AM
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WOOD RIVER - Taven Wardein, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High, is being recognized for cross country and track and field after a year of training that he said helped him improve his personal record time while maintaining a grade point average above 4.0.
Wardein said his progress came from consistent work, including summer practices. “The last year I have been in cross country, and I have worked very hard to make myself the best I can be and widen my personal record time,” he said. “As tough as practice can be, especially during the summer practices, I showed up to as many as possible and worked hard to stay fit and get better.”
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Wardein is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Oilers.
Wardein has posted a time of 2:25.8, a personal best in the 800 meters, in the Civic Memorial/East Alton-Wood River-Columbia triangular meet on April 11, 2026. He has also been a member of 4 x 800 relay teams outdoors. He ran a time of 2:31.33 for 800 meters on March 21, 2026, at the Lake Michigan Invite.
He credited the sport’s team environment as a key reason he has stayed with it since starting at the beginning of his junior year.
“What I like most about this sport is the social aspect of being with friends,” Wardein said. “Running alongside a great team has made me want to stay, as without these friends I would probably be a totally different person than what I am now.”
East Alton Wood River High head boys track and field/cross country coach Russ Colona has worked with Wardein during his time in the program.
Wardein said balancing academics and athletics has shaped his high school experience.
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“Along with doing these sports, I have been able to maintain my grade point average above a 4.0, truly showing that nobody has an excuse for not being able to work hard in school while also working hard in a sport,” he said.
He added that school and sports helped him become more social and manage his time. “High school and being around the people in my sports have been a humbling and great experience for me,” he said. “And with school work and grades, I’ve been taught to be resourceful with my time.”
In the classroom, Wardein said he earned four A’s and two B’s during his junior year, noting that the B’s came in dual-credit college courses.
“The B’s were part of dual-credit college courses and were weighted so for a college-level course as a junior, I would say I got a good grade,” he said.
Wardein also competes in track and field as a long-distance runner and said he hopes to continue in cross country and track in college. Looking ahead, he said he wants to become a pilot in the Air Force and is considering degrees in aviation management and aviation flight.
Outside of sports, Wardein said he enjoys reading about history, economics, and philosophy. “Something about understanding what made modern humanity and how we act is intriguing to me,” he said.
He also said he filmed for the Oilers' football team and encouraged other students to consider it.
“It’s a super fun job, and you get to travel to every football game,” Wardein said.
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