Passing the baton: El Camino cross country team gets new leader

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — “This sport is not really a sport,” said El Camino High School junior Ryan Romero. “It’s more of a lifestyle you know?”

He has lived the cross country life style since he was in the sixth grade. With running in his blood, he’s now newest leader of the Wildcats.

“My dad he was a cross country runner. His team, they actually won states in like 1992. They were state champions. He introduced me to it,” Romero told FOX 5/KUSI.

The three-year varsity runner, determined to follow in his father’s footsteps, is going to state. This comes after he barely missed the cut for it in 2023.

“I really, really wanted to make it last year. I had a really long season last year and kind of had burnout, explained the young athlete. “It was really tough having to deal with that loss.”

The 16-year-old is now using that loss to train for this season. He’s taking things to the next level.

“The whole month of July, I was up in Arizona doing elevation training in Flagstaff at 7,000 [feet] elevation. And most every run I did, was completely by myself,” said Romero.

Last season, Ryan and former El Camino cross country star Omar Reyes went 1 and 2 in the Chafe Invitational. This season, Ryan is embracing his new leadership role for the wildcats.

“With all that power I have to treat it with respect, even thought I am top runner on the team. I have to be humble and be an example for the next generation of runners,” Romero continued.

The Wildcats leader will get his chance in next race at the Woodridge Invitational in Irvine.

“Some of the best kids in the nation are going to be in that race, so I think it’s going to be a great chance for me to see how much better I’ve gotten and how much better my competition has gotten,” said Romero.

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