The phrase student athlete­—one hears it time and time again. It’s a cliché, right? That is until one meets junior Ben Farrell.

After winning the indoor WIAC 400-meter dash and his team falling just short of making it to nationals in the 4×400 relay, the mechanical engineering major’s most prized accomplishment is his 3.6 GPA.

Farrell’s humble beginnings came from the edge of Verona, a city outside of Madison, a blue-collared town of hardworking people, and parents who raised him with religious principles and self-respect that have never left his way.

One would never know by his demeanor, and his success in track and field. Teammate Jordan Olp, who has known him for two-and-a-half years, described Farrell as an “intelligent, hardworking and a laid back person.”

That is until the lights turn on and he switches to a competitive and motivated athlete.

Farrell, whose idol is Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner, not only competes in the 400, but also the 200. A naturally laid-back person, Farrell has teammates following his persona. Farrell’s teammate of three years Aaron Hrubes described how important Farrell’s leadership to the team is.

“Having the top 400-meter runner in the conference as the anchor of our relay puts my mind at ease each time we have to run 4×400,” Hrubes said.

Farrell believes his continued success can be attributed to “practicing right, paying attention and staying healthy.”

His mindset heading into the outdoor season is to do his best and stay healthy, Farrell said. One won’t catch him screaming his lungs out and yelling at teammates—he is a leader by example. When teammates lose confidence, he encourages that “they always can do better next week.” There was a time when Farrell lost confidence. It was last year at the outdoor nationals in Delaware, Ohio. The team struggled in the 4×400, finishing tenth. Farrell struggled individually in the 400 as well.

“Never count him out,” Hrubes said, “he rises to the challenge of every meet.”

Before he graduates, Farrell wants to become an All-American and finish top 8 at nationals. Farrell has his sights set on future success. Don’t count him out­—because, as he’s shown, he always meets the challenge.