Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Alanis named BHS's Athlete of the Week

Every team needs a coach, but sometimes athletes on the team are so good at leading teammates in workouts and practices, the coach's job becomes a whole lot easier.

Bonsall High School's Austin Alanis is that kind of athlete.

His leadership and responsibility are just two of the reasons why Alanis was nominated by his coach for Athlete of the Week.

"Austin is completely trustworthy," track and field coach Alan Greene said. "There are days that I'm not available for practice due to my day job. Our field coach provides overall adult supervision but Austin leads the workouts for the runners. This week, in fact, he's covering for me for two days.

"Truly, without this young man, my job as a coach would be much more difficult," he said.

Greene said Alanis also possesses superior leadership abilities.

"In addition to being a superb athlete, his teammates elected him team captain for the (track & field) team and cross country, in the fall," Greene said. "He's responsible for preparing the team for practice and for post-workout routine. He leads by example both on and off the field. He contributes to our workouts by suggesting to me ways that he thinks we can make practice better. He's passionate about the sport and about ensuring his teammates excel in their events."

The junior team captain competes in the 1,600-meter, 800-meter and 4x400-meter relay for the Legionnaires, and it is his second year on varsity. He was a member of the 2017 boys' cross country team that captured a league title.

"One of my favorite memories is when we had the first team for our school to ever go to a state competition," he said. "It was a huge honor and something that I will remember for the rest of my life. Another favorite team accomplishment was seeing our relay teams become league champions last year in the 2018 track season."

He started running as a freshman at his previous high school in North Carolina.

"I started playing this sport because I wanted to play a sport and feel fulfilled, which I wasn't at the time," Alanis said. "I then found out that running gave me a confidence and pride that I had never really felt before.

"It is so fulfilling to me. When I finish a run, I feel fantastic. I also love this sport because it makes you set goals for yourself, and then work to achieve those goals.

"In addition, the teams I have had the honor of running with are like my families. We take care of each other, and look out for each other.

"Finally, running teaches you discipline. It teaches mental discipline for when you run, and the discipline to train right, to eat right and to live right," Alanis said.

While he doesn't play other sports besides track and cross country, he is a member of the National History Day Club.

As any true leader does, Alanis has high hopes for his teammates this season – and high expectations for himself.

"My goal for the team this season is that we emerge with a few league champions as we have in previous years and that we have representatives at CIF San Diego Prelims, particularly from our distance runners," he said. "I really want to break five minutes in the mile and make it to CIF San Diego prelims for some event."

Alanis is proud of his accomplishments so far.

"I have quite a few personal favorite memories in the sport," Alanis said. "My first ever 1600 stands out because I had set a season goal of running under six minutes, but I ended up running 5:45," he said. "Another favorite personal memory was my first 5k race for cross country."

Even though it isn't a lifelong dream since he began running three years ago, Alanis said he wants to run in college. He hasn't received any college scholarship offers but has his eye on several colleges he'd like to attend.

"I am considering University of California San Diego, Texas A&M, Northern Arizona University, University of South Carolina, College of William and Mary, and Wake Forest University," he said.

Alanis said he'd like to study kinesiology and become a cross country and track coach or pursue a military career.

"I also have interests in becoming a musician or a historian," he said.

Alanis said his favorite subject in school is a tie between history and chemistry.

"Both of which I find fascinating and really connect with," he said. "History has so many great stories and lessons, whereas chemistry enriches my understanding of my environment and nature."

Get to know Austin Alanis

Favorite team?

"I love all the great universities and their running teams. Notre Dame Fighting Irish is my favorite college football team. My favorite professional team is the Los Angeles Dodgers."

Favorite athlete?

Eliud Kipchoge or Mo Farah

Favorite band?

Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Def Leppard, Journey

Favorite TV show?

"Family Guy"

Favorite movie?

"Ferris Bueller's Day Off"

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 03/24/2024 09:33