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Show Layton runner was surprised to discover his distance ability if V I 4""'te-4i' r-f r" " . iii : i -, i- . .. J, s -A f oi) i By DONETA GATHERUM LAYTON John Rojas, a Layton High School senior, is a good student with a positive outlook out-look on life, an easy-going personality person-ality and a smile that extends from his right ear to his left ear. He is also an outstanding distance runner. , From the time he entered school at age five until he completed his junior year, friends and teachers recognized his academic and personality per-sonality characteristics. No one noticed this slightly built, medium-height medium-height boy could run, and run fast. John's latest talent was first observed by Layton High gym O teacher Kathy Stoker. He had the best time for the mile in her class. She mentioned this to John who said, "I didn't know I could run." She also passed the word on to cross country and track coach Van Price. He was interested. So was John. Without training prior to the opening of school, John started competing with Layton's cross country team. He took first place for the school at the first meet of the year against Viewmont High School. This award-winning pace was maintained throughout most of the track season. He tied the school's course record with a time of 16:49 at Layton's meet with Box Elder. This is a great accomplishment accomplish-ment for a boy who had little train ing and less experience. John's story is an "American Dream" scenario. Three years ago he and his family were living in Colombia. Col-ombia. They immigrated to America Amer-ica and settled in Florida for about three months. Relatives living in Utah suggested that John and his family move here because there were some good job opportunities. When the family arrived in Layton, John spoke no English. Last year, he studied in the English as a second language program at Davis High School. He advanced rapidly enough to transfer into a regular student program at Layton this year. , John is not taking an easy course of study. He is enrolled in debate, CP English, Constitutional studies, stu-dies, biology, algebra and law enforcement. en-forcement. He started out in Spanish Span-ish but felt the class was "too easy." Distance running has given John an extra incentive to do well in his academic classes. "Coach Price says if I keep going, I might be able to get a college scholarship to a small college. This is my goal," John said. "I want to use my running ability as long as I can. I'm looking forward for-ward to track starting in the spring. Maybe this talent will help me through college. Maybe I'll end up a lawyer," he concluded, smiling constantly from his right ear to his left. Talented Carolyn Knight of Woods Cross goes up for this slam in the Lady Wildcats' victory over Alta in state 4-A volleyball action at Roy High. Woods Cross was the only county team to win a match at the state tourney. ''" '' ff?& ' , i' I ' " " " v ' ' , ' ' : v , JOHN ROJAS |
