ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Age 18 | School Southwest High | Grade 12
Nathan Garcia,
Southwest High School track and
field
EL CENTRO — Amid dusty and windy conditions, the Southwest High track and field team opened the Imperial Valley League season at Imperial High last week.
The Eagle boys are chasing their fourth consecutive IVL title and started off strong with a victory over the Tigers. Helping Southwest to the win was Nathan Garcia.
“We have a lot of rookies on the team this season, so that was a good first experience to set the tone and build confidence for the rest of the season,” he said.
The senior distance runner competed in three events against Imperial and came away with three first-place finishes in the 1600 (4:48), 800 (2:12) and 3200 (10:32) meters.
“I was a little concerned,” Garcia said about the weather affecting his races. “I haven’t really run on dirt tracks before, so I was nervous about that, but it turned out OK.”
Garcia has competed for the Eagles since his freshman season and is also the IVL defending champion in the 1600 and 3200 meters.
“I really want to improve my 1600 so I can compete at the Arcadia meet in a few weeks, I just need to get a few seconds faster,” he said.
What do you enjoy most about your sport?
I like that it’s different than cross-country. It’s a bigger team and you get to hang out and talk to your friends. I like that you get to do more than just one race and you also get to see the other events and watch your teammates.
What is one of your more memorable moments in your sport?
Earlier this season at the Desert Classic Relays, I broke 10 (minutes) in the 2-mile. I wasn’t even supposed to run in that race, but at the last second I told my coach to put me in and I ended up winning.
Who inspires you and why?
I look at college and professional runners and look at where they started and how they were able to improve and grow. I want to be able to do the same and get better to hopefully run in college.
What are your goals for the rest of this season?
I want to try and break the school records in the 1600, 3200 and 800 meters.