By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Octavia Gonzalez represented the St. Cloud Raptors Track and Field Club well when she finished second in her section and 19th overall at the National Junior Olympics in Norfolk, Va., last weekend.

Gonzalez ran 3,000 meters in 12:06 and kicked past two runners in the last 100 meters to secure second place in her section.

Gonzalez also placed 29th (50-3) in the javelin.

Raptors Coach Jason Luquis said Gonzalez gained valuable experience.

“That was an awesome finish (in the 3,000 meters) that woke up the crowd Saturday morning,” he said. “Octavia is the first local track athlete to compete at the Junior Olympics since Osceola High’s Tynia Gaither competed in 2007.”

Gaither has won four state championships at OHS as she enters her senior season.

“At only 14, Octavia has a great understanding of her ultimate potential and  this meet is another step in that direction,” Luquis said. “This year, as only a seventh grader, and in her first year of training, Gonzalez’s season-best times in the 800, 1500, 3000 were faster than any high school runner in the county.”

Gonzalez said she learned a lot at the JO meet.

“I feel like the most important thing I learned from the Junior Olympics experience is that there are other people around the country that share the same passion as I do, and I have to pick them off one by one with a little more training.”

She intends to make track a lifetime sport, she said.

“I plan on pursuing my track and field passion until I can’t do it anymore,” she said. “I would say my favorite event is the 800 meters because it’s speed and stamina. The 800 meters isn’t too short or too long; it’s long enough so I can think about what my next move will be and why I keep pushing myself.”

Gonzalez, who hopes to earn a track scholarship, plans to qualify for the Puerto Rican National team next summer. She said her coach and family give her confidence.

“I can do the unthinkable if I really put my mind to it,” she said. “Knowing that my dad is blessing me from up above gives me all the confidence in the world.”

Several other members of the Raptors qualified for the Junior Olympics meet but were unable to participate for lack of funds.

They are: Carlos Perez (2,000 meters steeplechase); Kierra Crane (3,000 meters; pentathlon) and Cole Harvey (high jump).

Perez and another club member, Calixto Bravo, will join Gonzalez in Puerto Rico next summer.