ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Alexis Paco Southwest High track and field
EL CENTRO — Last week, the Southwest High boys’ track-and-field team had three athletes compete in the CIF-San Diego Section Div. I championships, with Alexis Paco being the only Eagle to advance to the finals in a field event.
The 18-year-old qualified for the Div. I shotput final, where he hit a mark of 54-feet, breaking a school record that stood since 2014.
The effort was enough to earn the Southwest senior a second-place finish in the event and a qualifying mark for the state track-and-field meet set to begin on Friday.
“I was really proud of myself,” Paco said. “I focused all my work and attention on (track and field). I started training before the season started, so to be able to succeed at CIF was a goal of mine and I was happy to reach it.”
Despite this being Paco’s first year competing for the Eagles, he’d competed in track and field before in Mexico and was ready to do work for his school this season.
Paco went undefeated in Imperial Valley League action in both the shotput and discus and even earned IVL Field Athlete of the Year honors.
“I was happy,” Paco said of his performances this season. He also set a new school record in the discus that had stood since
2004. “I felt in my element and was happy to get those records.”
What do you enjoy most about your sport?
My teammates.
What is one of your more memorable moments in your sport?
Breaking the school record in the shotput and qualifying for state.
Who inspires you and why?
I try to inspire myself by training hard every day.
What are your goals for the rest of this season?
To better my mark in the shotput at state and make another school record.