And just as this intense training has led to district championships and state appearances, now as friends, coaches, administrators and proud family members looked on, both Vasquez and Elizondo have both chosen to remain teammates at the collegiate level, Division I collegiate level, no less, as they simultaneously signed letters of intent to run for the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners Track Program.

Elizondo, whose premier event is the 800 meters, was the District Champon in the 800 in 2011, was part of the 2012 EPHS Cross Country Team who won district regional and qualified to state, ranks fourth all-time at EPHS with a 1:56.60 and ranks seventh all-time in the mile with a 4:25.45.

Vasquez is a three-time state qualifier in cross country, once individually making the All-Region Team, part of the 2011 team that also qualified to state, 2012 District Champion in the mile and District Champion in the two mile run.  He is fifth all-time in the mile with a 4:24.08 and holds the school record in the two mile run with a 9:33.11.

Both placed fourth at Regionals this year in their respective events and are part of the 4 x 800m relay team who hold the school record in the event.

Elizondo, the son of María "Titi" and Onesimo Elizondo thaked his coaching staff for allowing him to return to the cross country team after a brief hiatus stating, "I thank Coach Gonzalez for allowing me back and making me the runner I am today.  Coach Olivas for motivating me in his own special way and my best friend Sal for motivating me to achieve my biggest goal in life which was to become a collegiate athlete and I still think that running is the second most important thing in the world behind God and Jesus Christ and I hope everyone puts that in front of any other sport in life."

Vasquez, the son of Rosa and Saul whom he thanked as well as Coach Gonzalez, Olivas and Vielma for their support before stating, "I couldn't ask for a better support group than you all.  Up until last week I wasn't sure where I wanted to go, but I'm happy I chose to be a Roadrunner."

These two young men should be an inspiration to underclassmen at both EPHS as well as those who will be entering CC WInn HIgh School as runners at Cinco Ranch, Humble Kingwood and other major powerhouses for cross country train in the comfort of shade trees and cool shaded rolling hills.  The next Juan Gonzalez, Lourdes or Jerry Cervantes, Roland Cantú, Luis Miguel Beltran, Oscar or Raul Ramirez or Saul Vasquez may be in our midst, it takes the competitor in us all to bring him/her out into the sun of athletic glory, because champions are made when no one is looking.