This week’s Athlete of the Week is 14 year old Joel Castro. He is currently the fifth person on the Hoover High school’s varsity cross country team. Joel started running toward the end of his 8th grade year with City Heights Runners. His teammates motivate him to continue running and he will aim to run cross country throughout all four years of high school. Joel is nervous and excited for his first track and field season.

“I feel pressure,” said Joel. “But it’s cool to see and run with the varsity team going to CIF.”

When Joel is not running, he enjoys playing video games and the piano. With being the only freshman on the varsity team, Joel maintains a 4.0 GPA.  After high school heplans to attend a university and continue running.