Five CTHS track and field athletes advanced to state. The boys 4×4 relay made up of seniors Preston Whaley, junior Isaiah Davis, senior Cedric Hooper and junior Roberto Capa and 100 meter hurdler sophomore Nathan Franco. They all took first at regionals in their events. Coming into prelims, none of the athletes were projected to get 1st place.

“When we won regionals I was just in amazement and disbelief because no other team expected us to win and run a 3:18 (new school record),” Preston  said. 

All the boys of the relay team recall feeling a mixture of surprise, excitement. Isaiah even admits he felt like the whole event was “pretty unbelievable.”  

“I was just excited to get a chance to go to regionals as a sophomore,” Nathan said. “I was pumped to know that my dreams of going to State have become a reality.” 

The glory is something the fans can see, especially when runners win and are put on a giant screen as they cross the finish line.

What people don’t see, however, is all the hours of work on the track. Leading up to regionals, Nathan and Roberto trained with their club coach, Isaiah’s dad had specialized strength workouts, Preston watched film to improve technique for overall speed, and Cedric executed workouts as needed by their coach, CJ Fowler.  

“We run for each other every day, ” Cedric said. “When we’re on the track we don’t worry about anything other than running that race.” 

During the times it hurts and the runners didn’t win, personal motivations pushed them.

“Friends, family, personal goals and simply the appetite for success is what drives the us,” the relay team said. “We always just try to run the best we can.”  

“I’m excited to make noise in Austin,” Roberto, said. “There will be many college coaches there scouting and I want to put myself and our school on the radar.” 

The 4×4 team and Nathan Franco will run May 12 at the UT track.