Jordan senior Chris Huss never has had anything come easy. He has overcome many obstacles since being born 18 years ago.

Huss recently finished 92nd in the Class 1A boys' cross-country state meet with a time of 17 minutes, 20.9 seconds over the 5,000-meter course at St. Olaf College in Northfield. He became only the second boy in school history to run in the meet.

Huss was born with syndactyly (webbed fingers) on his left hand. Six months later, he underwent surgery on the hand and lost two of his fingers when they could not be separated.

A little more than two years later on Valentine's Day in 1997, Huss suffered cuts to his face, a broken leg and a traumatic brain injury when his family was involved in a deadly automobile accident. His mother, Sue, was killed.

Huss spent time in an induced coma, and was in Gillette Children's Hospital in St. Paul for nearly two months. He had to be taught how to eat, walk and talk all over again.

Here is a closer look at the "miracle kid" appropriately named by his father, Robert:

The best movie I've seen in the last year? "The Blind Side."

Three words or phrases my friends or teammates might use to describe me? Perseverance; patient; hard working.

Three songs I never skip on my iPod are ... "Monster" by Skillet; "Comatose" by Skillet; "Bullet In My Hand" by Redlight King.

How did you get started in running? I started just to get involved in something.

At my first varsity practice, I felt ... like I could fit in and run with these guys.

What did you work on last summer? Getting my mileage up, and getting quicker and stronger.

To get ready for a race, I ... sit, think about my race, and listen to music.

I know I have an edge on an opponent when ... I'm running against them up and then downhill.

What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete? Breaking my school record [16:49.5] at the 2012 Minnesota River Conference meet in Baylor Park, and then going on stage to perform in a musical [Beauty and the Beast] that same night.

Who is your school's biggest rival, and why? Our neighbors, Belle Plaine, because they are just 9 miles down the road.

If you could change one thing about high school sports, what would it be? Nothing. I love it all.

How do you balance school and sports during the year? I work on school in the morning or at night.

Who is your favorite college or pro sports team and why? The Minnesota Vikings because I'm a hometown fan.

Do you have a secret talent -- and if so, what is it? I enjoy acting and singing, thanks to my friends in these activities, and the directors.

In 10 years, I hope I'm ... in a career that suits me.

What is the best sports advice you ever received? Run mileage, and you will run faster in your races.

RON HAGGSTROM