Education
Engels attended Ronald West. Reagan High School until he graduated in 2012. In addition to running cross country and track, he played for his school"s soccer team and was a member of the Earth Club at his school. By the time he graduated from Reagan in 2012, he had set his school"s records in the 800 meters, mile, and 3200 meters.
His best high school mile time was recorded at the 2012 Adidas Grand Prix Dream Mile, where he ran 4:03.96, which as of 2015 is the state high school record mile time for North Carolina.
Throughout high school, Engels was coached by Reagan"s cross country and track coach Chris Catton.
Career
High school Collegiate Engels first attended North Carolina State with an athletic scholarship. During his freshman year, he was redshirted and experienced chronic injury problems. Just four months after this, during winter break, Engels decided to terminate his enrollment at North Carolina State.
He considered stopping competitive running altogether, but was urged by his high school coach, Chris Catton, not to quit.
During his winter of uncertainty, he sent gifts individually to his teammates at North Carolina State as a sign of goodbye, and also bought a used recreational vehicle on Craigslist, which broke down immediately after purchase. By early 2014, with some persuasion from Mississippi coach Ryan Vanhoy, who had tried recruited Engels as a high schooler two years earlier, Engels transferred to University of Mississippi.
Membership
In addition to running cross country and track, he played for his school"s soccer team and was a member of the Earth Club at his school.
