Cross country and Jeremy Hojnowski.

To Hojnowski and those who know him, a more perfect pair of synonyms doesn't exist. Running is Hojnowski's outlet for stress, his teacher of discipline and his ultimate source of confidence and hope.

Understanding his bond to the sport means going back to his middle school experience. Hojnowski said he was bullied for being overweight, so he started running on his own both to lose weight and manage anxiety.

Cross country and track and field became Hojnowski's life, filling him with purpose. COVID-19's threat of eliminating his senior season at East Stroudsburg North led Hojnowski to reflect on life's "simple" questions, like what his life purpose is, he said.

The Class of COVID-19: 'A roller coaster of emotions' for Pocono Mountain East student-athlete

Perhaps the question really is simple for Hojnowski, who's confident in his answer.

"My purpose in life is to inspire people to live a healthier and happier life — mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally," Hojnowski said. "I love to make a positive impact on people's lives and in this world."

Hojnowski joined the East Stroudsburg North varsity cross country team his sophomore year of high school. His homeroom teacher from the year before, Christopher Corso, had just become the head coach and recommended Hojnowski join.

It didn't take long for cross country to become everything to Hojnowski. He immediately stepped in as one of the team's top runners and a leader — Corso named him a team captain in his first season.

"I went from like not even being able to run up the hill to like a six-minute mile," Hojnowski said. "Joining cross country my sophomore year is when my life changed."

Running became the light of Hojnowski's life, a light he would depend on when his life changed dramatically again — this time at the hands of COVID-19.

With the goal of running more competitively, Hojnowski joined North's track and field team his junior year in the spring of 2020. He would only spend one day practicing, though, before a pulled hamstring sidelined him for nearly two weeks.

Two days after his return from injury, the COVID-19 pandemic ended the track season for good.

COVID-19 separated Hojnowski from his running family, and an iliotibial band injury basically kept him from running at all last spring.

He was healthy in time for cross country workouts once they could safely begin over the summer, but injuries again limited Hojnowski during the season.

The Class of COVID-19: Notre Dame East Stroudsburg softball player turns dream to reality

"It definitely took a toll on me mentally because cross country … makes me who I am," Hojnowski said. "You think of Jeremy, you think of cross country."

Being back at North with his teammates and coaches, though, filled Hojnowski with hope.

"I love North," Hojnowski said. "I love all the teachers, all the staff, all that they offer. Everything."

Although a shin injury forced him to sit out the final two weeks of the regular season for cross country, Hojnowski returned in time to compete at districts. Hojnowski helped his team place seventh out of 17 — North boys cross country's first top-10 finish at districts.

Just to have a season meant the world to Hojnowski. Injuries and shortened sports schedules took their toll, but Hojnowski remains nothing but positive.

"You're blessed with what you do have, so just got to make the best out of it," Hojnowski said.

Hojnowski has two offers to compete in Division I cross country and track and field next year. He will enter school undecided but has an interest in studying health and joining an ROTC program.