Steven Velarde knew at a very early age he was faster than the average kid.
During every recess as a kindergartner at Gabilan Hills Elementary School, the San Benito High senior and three of his best friends — R.J. Collins, current cross-country teammate Johnny Corral and Balers punter-kicker John Canes — held a fierce competition as to who could complete the most laps around the track.
Velarde was always one of — if not the fastest — kids in his class at every grade level. The situation is no different today, only now Velarde is competing against a superior cast of talented runners.
From now until the end of the cross-country season in late November, Velarde will have a chance to stamp his legacy as one of the greatest running athletes in San Benito history.
“Steven is a good runner who runs with a lot of heart, just like a lot of our kids do,” said Balers coach Jess Morales, who is in his 17th year coaching the boys’ cross-country team. “I don’t believe in talent. What we do in our program is train hard in the summer, so by the time league starts, you’re already way ahead of the ball game.”
The 5-foot-6, 125-pound Velarde was training in the summer — just not around here. Velarde spent all but two weeks of last summer in Anaheim, helping to babysit his niece.
Velarde’s goals are straightforward and simple: Repeat as Monterey Bay League champion on Nov. 2 at Toro Park, win his first-ever Central Coast Section individual title in the Division I race two weeks later and improve upon his 64th-place finish in last year’s CIF State Meet.
Velarde would love nothing more than to take his cast of solid teammates with him to Fresno for the State Meet. If the Balers can finish among the top three teams in the CCS Championships, it will earn a berth in the State Meet.
Morales is confident his team can finish right behind powerhouse programs Bellarmine and Carlmont in the team rankings, because it traditionally peaks for the most important meets of the season. Velarde lets his actions do most of the talking, but as the team’s unquestioned top runner, he’s evolved into a vocal leader as well.
“I always try to get them excited about running because I know it’s hard and it can take a toll on you,” Velarde said. “I want them to always have that feeling of loving to run, even when they don’t want to or don’t feel like it.”
Along with Corral, No. 2 runner Jose Ruiz and sophomores Elijah Changco and Juan Gutierrez, San Benito has a group that could go down as one of the school’s greatest. As always — especially in the case of a running sport — time dictates history.
Each member of the team wants to establish a PR (personal record) at least once at either the league championships or CCS Meet.
Velarde’s personal-best at the beautiful yet challenging Crystal Springs Course in Belmont — site of this year’s CCS Championships — is 15 minutes, 25 seconds.
Does Velarde feel another PR is on the way?
“Mentally, I feel ready, but physically, I’m kind of tired right now,” Velarde said. “I’m actually going to be increasing my tolerance and doing more long-distance workouts in the next week or so.”
Velarde was quick to point out that feeling physically tired isn’t always a bad thing, as he’s PRd in the past after seemingly being in a fatigued state.
“Sometimes you just have to dig deep and do something you’ve never done before,” he said. “Every time I’m out there running, I feel like I can accomplish anything.”
