When Cuco Chavez was six years of age, he took a flyer at the
Mission 10K Run in San Juan Bautista in the 12-and under division.
He ran it in an hour and 14 minutes, a world record for a six
year-old. However, the race wasn’t certified at the time so he
didn’t get credit for the world record.
When Cuco Chavez was six years of age, he took a flyer at the Mission 10K Run in San Juan Bautista in the 12-and under division. He ran it in an hour and 14 minutes, a world record for a six year-old. However, the race wasn’t certified at the time so he didn’t get credit for the world record.
Chavez ran the streets of San Juan Bautista, Hollister and San Benito County through his youth to much success. Now he’ll see if he can inspire the youth of San Juan-Aromas to run to their capabilities for he has been apppointed head cross-country coach at Anzar High School. The season starts this fall.
“I know it will take some time to build the program,” said Chavez, a Hollister High alum of 1998. “There is not as much expected from me at a small school. I have to make it fun and I have to motivate the runners. Then, hopefully, word-of-mouth will bring more runners into the program.”
Chavez recently acquired his B.S. in Kineseiology from Cal-State University of Sacramento.
“I’m interested in the physical motion of the body and how the body works inside,” said Chavez.
This fall, he’ll substitute teach at the junior high and high school level. However, he’s enrolled at the local Fire Academy, his chosen vocation. The Academy means he can’t travel with the Hawks cross-country team on the weekends.
That problem was remedied when outgoing cross-country coach Michael Gunderson agreed to take the reins for weekend invitational meets.
The hiring of Chavez happened quickly. Talks between Chavez and Anzar Athletic Director Wayne Norton started in early June.
“I contacted him and he said that he had heard of me,” said Chavez.
Chavez considers himself a moderate as a coach.
“I don’t want to be a slave driver, but I’m not going to babysit,” he said. “I’m going to give them the best workout I can give them. They’ll be well thought out and not just thrown together. I’ll push them and motivate them as hard as I can.”
Chavez, age 23, feels his youth can be a benefit when coaching ages 14-18.
“They might be able to relate to me more,” said Chavez. “I’ll bring some new techniques to the table.”
Star as a Baler
Local track enthusiasts have surely heard of Chavez, who had an outstanding prep career as a Haybaler. He was a three-time league champ in both the 1,600 and 3,200 meter run. His PR in the 1,600 was 4:16. As a junior, he placed second in the Central Coast Section in the 3,200 meters with a 9:23.72. He added a fourth in the 1,600 at 4:19.94. As a senior, he was second at the CCS Division I cross-country meet with a time of 15:43. He was seeded first in the 1,600 at the CCS track and field meet, but opted to go on his Senior Trip instead.
After a year at Hartnell College and a year at Chico State, Chavez transferred to Sac-State. That must have been hard because Chavez cites his coach at Chico – Gary Towne – as the best coach he has ever had.
“But I wanted to travel and Chico was a Division II school,” said Chavez. “I looked at Sac-State’s schedule and liked what I saw.”
He went on to flourish as a Hornet, taking eighth in the 1,500 at the Big Sky Championships at 3:51. He even ran a 1:53 in the 800 meters, a swift time. Chavez was such an integral part of the Hornets program his senior year was on scholarship.
“It was hard,” said Chavez. “It was an indoor-outdoor season. I had never been in shape for such a long period of time in my life. I was running a 4:14 mile by January. And almost all of the conference championships were at elevated sites.”
On one occasion, the Indoor Championships were at Northern Arizona, which is nestled 7,000 feet above sea level in the city of Flagstaff.
“That was the worst,” said Chavez. “I had never been in so much pain.”
Chavez’ hard work as a Hornet paid off. He was selected Team Captain and Most Vaulable Runner on his team for both his junior and senior seasons.
Lost his desire
Chavez admittedly has lost his desire to compete.
“The past three years, I haven’t had the hunger to race,” said Chavez. “But, I do have the desire to coach. I often gave my teammates advice last year and it clicked. They responded and it felt good.”
Chavez’ father, also goes by the name of Cuco, which is a nickname for Refugio. The elder Chavez was a top-notch 95-pound wrestler at Hollister High (’64), qualifying for the state wrestling meet.
“I think it’s great that Cuco has come back to San Juan Bautista to give something back to the community,” said father Chavez. “I’m excited that he is back home. I’ll go to his meets and support him.”
Cuco Chavez will feel downright at home, coaching in his roots of San Juan Bautista. And maybe someday, he’ll find a six year-old prodigy runner and take him under his wing to someday fly like a Hawk for Anzar High.
