When most people picture a college track athlete, they think of training, competition and a schedule built around performance. For Colorado State University junior Jack Wetterling, the work doesnt stop when practice ends.When he s not running the 400-meter hurdles, Wetterling is behind a computer, helping shape the visual identity of Rams athletics.Ive been running track since I was like nine years old, Wetterling said. My dad was a hurdler at the University of Montana, so he got me started at a really young age.Years later, another passion emerged.As a junior in high school, I got introduced to graphic design, and I really just fell in love with that as well, he said.In our report below, hear more about how Jack Wetterling's interest in graphic design grew. CSU hurdler doubles as designer, shaping Rams image on and off trackThat interest quickly turned into opportunity. During his senior year of high school, Wetterling applied for a graphic design internship with Colorado State athletics after creating mock designs in class. He got the job and has been balancing both roles ever since.Ive been doing it for three years now on the track and then also designing on my computer and I love it, he said.Asked which is more difficult, Wetterling didnt hesitate.Im gonna have to go with the 400 hurdles, he said. That event is not easy. Still, he acknowledged that design comes with its own challenges especially when creating original content for a large audience.I think we have more followers on Instagram than our mens basketball team right now, so were up, he said with a smile. But I always put a lot of thought and effort into my work, and theres a reason behind that.Wetterling said his goal is to ensure the teams success is reflected visually.Our team were champions, we win, he said. We put in a lot of work, and our team deserves social media posts that reflect what were doing on the track. A Colorado native, Wetterling said representing Colorado State in multiple ways makes the experience even more meaningful.Its a great college, and Ive always wanted to be a Ram, he said. Im so glad that I went here and that Ive had the opportunity to compete for the track and field team and also contribute outside of running by creating graphics.Wetterling describes himself as a perfectionist, something he sees as both a strength and a challenge.I look back on some of the work Ive done previously, even banners I designed in the field house, and a couple years later Im like, Oh, I could do so much better than that, he said. But I just try to create graphics that Im proud of and that represent what we do here.As long as he gives his best effort, he said, hes satisfied.On the track, Wetterling is chasing new milestones this season. He hopes to break 52 seconds in the 400 hurdles and help Colorado State secure another conference title.Looking ahead, he plans to keep both passions alive with a goal of designing for a professional sports team in Denver. ...read more read less