Carson standout takes a break from college for torch run

At age 18, Carson City-native Daryl Nourse will realize his long-held dream of running in the Olympics. Well, sort of.

The Montana State freshman, who graduated last year from Carson High School, will run with the torch on Monday as it continues its nationwide trek to Salt Lake City. He flew home from Bozeman on Saturday -- a week into winter classes -- and leaves again Monday night. He says the quick stopover is worth it.

"I hadn't really thought about carrying the torch until I was chosen," he said. "It makes you think about being in the Olympics."

Daryl's mother, Lori Nourse, nominated her son because of his leadership as a high school student, and his affinity for running. He ran cross country and track at Carson High School, and hopes next year to split time between a busy schedule as an architecture student in the five-year master's degree program, and running cross-country at the college level.

As a standout student at Carson, Nourse's positive influence in the larger community was felt.

For his senior project, Nourse directed the Fun Run, a semi-competitive running event, including a 10K, that benefited the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The effort, which drew approximately 120 runners, raised $2,100 for the nonprofit.

"Every student had to do a project, and I was interested in running, so we organized the run," he said. "It started at Carson High School and ended at Carson High School. It ended up being a real success.

"I would really like to do it again, but the fact that I'm up (in Montana) and so busy, my focus is school and running. But it's good that I learned how to do something like that."

In a program as arduous as architecture, Nourse draws on the stamina he developed as a runner. Studio time, required of all students in the program, can mean long days and late nights.

"The nights can get really late," Nourse emphasized. "My latest night was six in the morning."