Dax Tate is one busy guy.

A mere glance at the recent Auburn Riverside graduate’s college entrance resume is enough to make your standard overachiever look as lazy as a sloth.

And if the sheer volume of his activities isn’t enough, consider this: Tate excels at pretty much anything he does.

Academics?

Tate, who has carried a 4.0 since fifth grade, graduated first in Auburn Riverside’s Class of 2015 while carrying a full load of AP and honors classes. He is a member of the National Honor Society.

Athletics?

Tate, captain of the Ravens cross-country and track and field team this past season, wrapped up his prep career as a distance runner with appearances at the state meet in both sports. A national-level water skier, he competed in swimming for the Auburn Valley YMCA.

Volunteer work?

In addition to the hours he spends volunteering with Calvary Community Church, Tate has helped lead a cleanup of Flaming Geyser Park, tutored middle and elementary school students, hosted the annual Tacoma Point Easter Egg Hunt and built a disability ramp for the North Tapps Middle School outdoor stage.

Music?

Tate has that covered, too. Ever since fifth grade, he has played the flute, including auditioning into the Auburn Riverside Wind Ensemble, with which he has performed in festivals and competitions in multiple states.

Well-rounded just doesn’t begin to encompass all the 18-year-old has achieved, let alone what Tate – who is enrolled in the Honors Program at the University of Washington – plans to do with his future.

Running grounds Tate and paves the way for his success in other things.

“It seems like the running would take away from my time, but I don’t know if I would be able to do half of what I do without it,” he said.

Whether it’s running days with training jaunts of up to 10 miles, or ordinary workout days with shorter runs, Tate said, he uses the time running to organize his life.

“I go through my day, my week or my year while I run,” he said. “The first thing I do is sort through that day and figure out what I have to do when. I kind of plan and organize while I’m running. It definitely helps with time management. Also, there is a de-stressing element in it, there is a chemical involved.”

It’s a trick he’s used since he first began running competitively in the fifth grade.

“Fifth grade was when I figured out that I wanted to get the school mile record,” he said. “It was actually shorter than a mile, but they called it the mile. I got 6 minutes, 20 seconds, and the record was actually 6:15. But I did a lot of training for it, so when I went to middle school I turned out and I was pretty good at it.”

A product of the Dieringer School District, Tate first ran competitively for North Lake Tapps Middle School, before moving on to Auburn Riverside, where he was named Rookie of the Year as a Freshman.

This past season Tate capped his career with appearances at the state 3A cross country championships and the state’s track and field championship meet.

In cross country he finished 66th overall, with a personal-best time of 16:50.94.

In the 3,200 meters he was 13th at the state track meet, with a 9:50.88.

He calls his senior season a “success” and said he is considering trying to walk on at UW.

Away from the athletic realm, Tate keeps busy with his academics, music and activities.

“Freshman year I auditioned into the wind ensemble at Riverside,” Tate said.

Tate said his musical career has rewarded him with friendships with his bandmates and a chance to play such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall.

He said he plans to continue to play, just not full time.

Among all the things Tate does, however, the one thing that he probably does best is academics.

“I’ve had a 4.0 for as far back as I can remember, at least back to fifth grade,” Tate said.

He credits his mom and dad, Wendy and Greg Tate, for encouraging him to achieve.

“I have my mom and dad telling me how amazing it is (carrying a 4.0),” he said. “But it’s not like they’re telling me I’m grounded if I get an A-minus. There’s not a lot of parental pressure, encouragement yes, but not pressure. That’s pretty much internal.”

Also crucial has been the competitive element, which comes via his friendly rivalry with buddy and fellow Raven Kyle Wuerch, who also maintains a 4.0.

“We’re both competitive. We’ve competed in little things since we met in the fifth grade, and he has a 4.0,” Tate said. “So I had to keep it at least for that.”

Next fall Tate heads off to the University of Washington, where he plans to major in medical science, although he admits he’s not 100 percent sure of his choice.

“I only have anatomy and biology classes under my belt, as far as those sciences,” he said. “So I’m still going to test the water a little, take some classes in that, maybe some computer science, then decide.”

To prepare for the grind of next season, Tate said he plans to take it easy over the summer.

“I didn’t plan a whole lot on purpose,” he said. “I’m going to France with my mom, but other than that I’m taking it easy.”

Which for Tate probably means a whole lot more activity than your average teen.

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PHOTO BELOW: Auburn Riverside’s Dax Tate, far right, battles the pack at the All-Auburn cross country race last fall.