Walking the halls, but running the roads to success. Running has been a passion for two of our cross country athletes. Rising before the sun every morning, junior Josiah Sotomayor and freshman Logan Patete have been training and running for many years.

This past summer, Sotomayor and Patete travelled to Ypsilanti, Michigan to race in the Junior Olympics.

“The accomplishment that has given me the most satisfaction is just the feeling of being at the Junior Olympics and running in front of so many people,” Sotomayor said. “It was unforgettable and fun.”

Patete ran with the Texas Thunder Track Club in the 4x800m and 3200m, placing 15th and 13th, and Sotomayor placed 18th in the 4×800 with the Leander Spartans Track Club.

“I love [running], so I’m happy [with or without awards], because it’s a passion to me,” Patete said.

Patete found his passion in running when he trained for the Turkey Trot with his mom at the young age of 7. He loved the race, and he has never stopped running since then. Last year, he placed 8th at Nationals and got the All American Title, which according to him is one of the greatest accomplishments of his running career.

“Gavin Davis [senior at Leander] was one of the people to push me towards getting faster,” Sotomayor said. “He pushes himself during track season, even though everyone always slacks, he’s always leading the pack and I always try to keep up with that.”

Sotomayor joined track and field in 7th grade, and he fell in love with the sport. He says his coaches are a big part of his running career.

“During the season,” Sotomayor said. “My inspirations are Coach Pie and Coach Jonathan, they really push us to run faster.”

Although both have now had the accomplishment of racing in the Junior Olympics, both are looking towards their next goal.

“We both want to break 2 minutes at the 800,” Sotomayor said. “We got to cut it by about 10 seconds,” Patete said.