His coach, Steve Shaklee, qualified that assessment just a bit. Yes, Shaklee said, Wilson works as hard as any runner he has had.
But some of Wilson's opponents have been training practically as long as they've been walking. Wilson is in just his second season in the sport.
"A lot of it just comes down to good genes," Shaklee said. "Genetically, he has what it takes. And when you add that natural talent together with his hard work, you get a champion."
Wilson is clearly among the top runners in the state entering Saturday's state championships.
He finished second in last year's state Group 4 meet and placed fifth in the Meet of Champions. He has won every time he has raced this season except for one race in late September when he said he battled serious stomach problems. He recorded a 15:25.40 in the Olympic Conference Championships on Oct. 26.
And all this from a kid who began his high school career as a soccer player.
He ran spring track as a freshman and added winter track as a sophomore. Positive results were there immediately, and as Shaklee points out, obvious natural ability was apparent to just about everyone watching Wilson.
"A lot of people were telling him he should run cross-country," Shaklee said. "Of course, I wanted him on the team and he knew that. I wasn't pushy about it. I find that sometimes that doesn't go over real well.
"But I think he was wise enough to make a pretty astute evaluation after his sophomore year."
This time, it's Wilson who qualifies his coach's comments. One of the ultimate deciding factors had nothing to do with an astute assessment of his athletic ability, Wilson said.
"We won the state title in soccer my sophomore year," Wilson said. "So I figured, I already had that under my belt. Why not try for one in cross-country?"
Less than two years later, Wilson is trying for more than just a state title. Shaklee thinks the senior has a shot to qualify for nationals. He'll race in the Foot Locker regionals on Nov. 24.
"It has been a bit surprising, having this much success so fast," said Wilson, who plans to run cross-country in college but has not chosen a school yet. "If I can surpass what I did last season, I'd be thrilled."
Shaklee would be thrilled, too - but not all that surprised.
"He's a competitive kid," Shaklee said. "He's disciplined. He's a natural athlete. And he's willing and able to push himself pretty hard."
Contact Chris Melchiorre at rallysports@phillynews.com.
