Storming the Red Raiders: Jared Mayoral

<h3 style="text-align: center;"> The Class of 2014 makes their decisions...</h3>

Jared Mayoral became the model of consistency for Cleveland this fall. Next fall, it's a longer race at Texas Tech. Photo by Alan Versaw.

 

Jared Mayoral's best marks:

1600 meters - 4:28.32 (at altitude)

3200 meters - 9:44.70 (at altitude)

5K cross country - 15:38.94 (at altitude)

 

Jared, there's been quite a steady flow of top new Mexico athletes heading to Texas tech over the years.  What factors made the decision for Texas Tech for you? 
 
As any athlete, you always dream of running at the division I level, and having a school that gives you an opportunity like Texas Tech gave me is a blessing. What sold me to Texas Tech was the academic support that is offered specifically for athletes. Knowing that you can be on a road to success in athletics as well as in the classroom. 
 
Do you have any idea yet what event or events the coaching staff there thinks will be the best fit for you? 
 
I don't know for sure what events I may run in college, I just know that I am going to attempt to do my best on my range of events. 
 
You've had an incredible set of teammates and an incredible coaching staff at Cleveland  over your years of high school. What are a couple of the most important lessons you learned from them? 
 
Humility; humility is what my best friend Luis Martinez showed me. My Coaches taught me that self sacrifice and discipline are values that will set you aside from the rest and make you a champion.  I learned that luck is a dying wish for those who think that winning can happen by accident, you don't win races wishing on luck, you have to make a decision to win.  
 
If you had to pick a best moment of high school competition for you, what would that be? 
 
At last year's NXR Southwest meet. Despite not winning the State Championship that I wanted so badly, two weeks later at NXR, I had an awesome race.  It was a great personal feeling of accomplishment and redemption to have been the first runner from New Mexico to cross the line; in front of the newly crowned state champions.
 
Is there anything left on the table for high school that you really want to accomplish this spring? 
 
I'm always looking for improvement in my high school level running knowing that college level running is so close. All I have left to do is to become a state champion like I always wanted to be. 
 
Last year, I fell short in the mile missing out on being state runner up to my friend Luis, due to a fall late in the race, it was about 200 meters before the finish line. This year I have some loose ends to tie up in the mile. It was a race that still aches very badly. I would also love to have the opportunity to run at New Balance Nationals...but let's see what God has planned for me.
 
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There's a lot of springtime between now and the third weekend in May, but that State 1600 seems like a very good place to be if you want to see someone go chase down a dream. Along the way, there will be several proving grounds, and most of them in easy commuting range for anyone living in the Albuquerque area. Make it a point to check out how things are progressing.