Luke Hernandez’s Track Experience

By: Chase Morrison

Imagine you are on the football field. You can feel the bounce of the turf. The anxiety starts to rise as your event gets closer and closer. You aren’t talking much; you are just trying to zone in before a race. As you start to stretch and warm up, you can feel every muscle move. You try keeping a level head as you prepare, getting yourself ready to compete at the best of your ability.

That is what Junior Luke Hernandez feels before his races. “I try not to talk to a lot of people, even though I still do. I try to stay pretty level-minded.” Luke said after he was asked about his pre-race routine. Unlike most athletes at his age, Hernadez seems to excel in the mental aspect of his sport with his level-mindedness and positive attitude.

Luke uses track as a way to stay in shape for his cross-country career. Luke said, “I would just do track because I know if I didn’t, I wouldn’t run in the spring.” Using track as a way to help him in his cross-country career has propelled him as an athlete and drives him to be the best version of himself.

Luke also says that track helps him in school with his grades. “I think it helps me stay a little more concentrated. Because I have to keep my grades up.” Luke said. Despite being a busy athlete, Luke excels in the classroom and is a great student.

When asked about his goals for this year, he wants to improve this year from last year. “Just be better than last year.” His drive to constantly improve helps him in all aspects of his life, not just track. He is a person who never settles and is always driving for success.

After this year, Hernandez plans to run his senior year. However, that will conclude his track career as he said, “I’m not running in College.” He is not interested in pursuing a collegiate track career.