Reprint from the Progress Times - January 17, 2008
©Progress Times 2008 - All Rights Reserved

MHS grad runs with family legacy

Running is in Mission High School graduate Noe Hernandez’ blood. His father ran track in his youth and placed first in state competition. Both older brothers, Nick and Keith ran track in high school.

Noe has done his best to keep up. In fact, he is hot on the heels of his brother, Keith, as he will be joining him at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, thanks to a $52,200 scholarship he officially accepted last week.

Ben Lopez, recruiter of South Texas for Lindenwood, said he’s been watching Hernandez for quite some time.

"I started scouting Noe four years ago when he was a freshman in high school," said Lopez. "He impressed me with his preparation and his strong start and finish in races. I talked to the track coach at Lindenwood and he saw his stats and really liked him."

Hernandez, who specializes in the 800 meters and mile relay, has been putting up impressive stats since his freshman year.

Noe has advanced to regional competition all four years in high school, he reached regional competition and state competition in both his junior and senior years. His first trip to state netted him a seventh and the following year, he placed third.

Although his final trip to state competition didn’t earn him a first place medal, he did earn a little slice of Hernandez fame.

"My father was a state champion at La Joya," said Hernandez. "When I went to state my senior year and placed third, I actually beat his time. He always had the bragging rights but when I broke his time he was really proud. Sometimes he’ll brag and I have to remind him that I broke his time, but he always brings out the medal."

Hernandez will be attending Lindenwood in the spring and is already preparing for his first track meet. Noe runs 60 miles a week to train, but not all of that drive is reserved for Lindenwood.

"In middle school my brother Keith and I were both invited to run in Australia but we weren’t able to go," said Hernandez. "So I’m really looking forward to international competition. My dream is to go to the Olympics, it always has been, ever since I saw it on television as a kid."

Hernandez hopes Lindenwood will help him train mentally as well as physically.

"In the 800 there are so many strategies," said Hernandez. "When you’re running it you have to know how to break out your first hundred meters, you have to learn how to set the pace and not get boxed in and you have to know everything about each and every single guy you’re running against. I’m looking forward to watching film and seeing when people make their moves or when they start slouching and getting tired.

Noe will be majoring in Kinesiology at Lindenwood which is a four-year liberal arts institution in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division II-Heart of America Conference.