Student: Alejandro Carrillo
Year In School: Junior
Plans After High School: After high school Alejandro plans to go to an automotive trade school and become a certified auto technician.
Toad PRIDE Focus: Integrity and Determination
What Alejandro Does to Show Toad PRIDE: Among the many attributes that an elite cross country has to have, perhaps DETERMINATION and INTEGRITY are the most important. The determination of a cross country runner is defined by an uncompromising mental and physical resilience to push through pain, harsh terrain, and exhaustion when no one is watching. Additionally, the determination of a cross country runner involves having a unique ability to embrace discomfort, be self motivated, have mental toughness, and a desire to cross the finish line. For Junior Alejandro Carrillo, he has the blueprint to be an elite runner for the Horned Toads Cross Country Team largely due to his determined spirit and integrity he displays on a consistent basis.
In just his first year running for the Toads, Alejandro has quickly emerged as one of the top runners for the program. A quick glance at Alejandro’s times at various events, indicate that he is running fast: 17:04 for three miles at the Eagle Fly, 19:23 for the 5000m run at the South County Cross Country Jamboree, 11:09 two mile run for the Central Valley Classic, and 18:25 for the 2.75 mile run at the Morro Bay Invitational. With impressive times, impressive hardware has been earned by Alejandro as has gathered a number of medals in just a short amount of time. For the Central Valley Classic, Alejandro finished 9th out of 166 racers and each top 10 runner qualified for a medal. For the Scary Dairy Invitational, Alejandro finished 7th out of 118, again qualifying for a medal as the top 25 runners medaled. His third medal came at the Eagle Fly where he finished in 11th place out of 88 runners and only the top 15 qualified for a medal.
In just his first year for the Horned Toads Cross Country Team, Alejandro Carrillo has emerged as one of the top runners.
Perhaps Alejandro’s early success comes from the positive, team first mindset that he brings with each run. “I love to run because it puts me in a relaxed mindset and is enjoyable to do,” Alejandro enthusiastically states, “Also I feel like I am blessed to be a natural runner and it's easy for me to run for a while. I like to run because I can see the scenery of where we are running, and it's pretty nice to look at.” While having some incredible natural abilities to run long distances, Alejandro is quick to recognize the dedication of his teammates and Head Coach Adrian Hernandez for their own determination to have one of the best programs in the Central Valley. “This team makes it special to me because of my teammates and how much hard work they put into training and the dedication they have to do their best in races,” states Alejandro humbly, “Coach Hernandez has done a great job with the program through the way he trains and motivates us to give our best, even when we are tired.” For the DETERMINATION he has to be one of the top runners in the Central Valley and for the INTEGRITY he demonstrates as a leader for the Horned Toads Cross Country Program, Alejandro Carrillo has Toad PRIDE.
Alejandro Carrillo (Yellow Nikes) is inspired by his Horned Toad Cross Country teammates to run fast and perform his best.
What Toad PRIDE Means to Alejandro: “What Toad Pride means to me is dedication to what I do on the daily. The personal responsibility that I get stuff done in time. And to also follow the rules at all times.”
What Teachers and Staff Think of Alejandro:
“Alejandro shows Toad PRIDE through his dedication, perseverance, and commitment to his teammates. As a cross country runner, he is always asking questions and looking for ways to improve, and he consistently arrives on time and ready to work. Even when he is dealing with an injury, Alejandro continues to push himself and encourage his teammates to get better. Whether he is racing or supporting the team from the sidelines, he always goes above and beyond and sets a great example for those around him.” Adrian Hernandez, Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach, Coalinga High School
“Alejandro shows Toad PRIDE by being on time and ready to learn. He demonstrates integrity by staying on task and following school policies. Alejandro has determination to complete all assignments. Keep setting a great example for your peers.” Wesley Kilcrease, Art Teacher, Coalinga High School
“Alejandro is such a great example of Horned Toad Pride. He has a great sense of Personal Responsibility, and he treats everyone with respect and kindness. I have enjoyed our conversations regarding the importance of family and friends, and he has a real mature understanding about just how important it is to find meaning in his high school experience. He has explained to me just how important his little cousin and his little brother are to him, and he has a strong passion for cars, racing, and engines, and he enjoys working with his Dad. When you have a conversation with Alejandro, you get a strong feeling for his sincerity, integrity, and empathy.” Steven McDaniel, English Teacher, Coalinga High School
“P - Personal Responsibility: He completes all his work on time. R - ResourcefulnessL He makes good use of the internet. I - Integrity: He is honest, not using shortcuts like A.I. or plagiarism. D - Determination: He completed his 680 pt project that took weeks to complete. E - Empathy.” Wes Plaugher, Social Studies Teacher, Coalinga HIgh School
“Alejandro is a great asset in the weightroom. Over the course of the last month it has been a pleasure to see him make growth and progress. He is always on task and works well with his peers. I enjoy how he is willing to listen, learn, and make adjustments while keeping a good sense of humor at the same time. This not only makes for a productive workout environment, but helps rub off on those around him as well!” Derrick Young, Physical Education Teacher, Coalinga High School