Gerardo “GJ” Reyna never really expected to continue running cross-country or track after high school. They were just sports to pass time. His sophomore year, however, everything changed and his priorities aligned.
The Mission Veterans alumni runs for a Division I school with the University of Houston. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and exercise science in spring 2019, when he was redshirted his senior year of college, allowing him to run his fifth year in 2020.
He plans to pursue his master’s degree this fall in sports and fitness administration,and finish his final run with cross-country and track if the season is allowed to start.
Before attending the University of Houston, Reyna was a four-year varsity cross country and track runner in high school.
“I started taking running seriously when I was a sophomore,” Reyna said. “That was when I knew I could do big things and make something out of myself.”
His prime year started his junior year at Mission Veterans High school. Reyna advanced to state in cross-country and competed in Round Rock, Texas where he placed 18th with a time of 16 minutes, 15 seconds. He also advanced to state his senior year in cross-country.
In track, he advanced to state in the 3,200-meter run and competed in Austin, where he placed seventh his junior year. During his senior year, Reyna set a personal record with a time of 9:17 during regionals in San Antonio in the 3,200 meter-run. Reyna advanced to state in the same race and placed fourth with a time of 9:29.
Reyna was recognized and awarded with the Rio Grande Valley Cross-Country Coaches Association (RGVCCCA) Most Valuable Athlete, including a scholarship his senior year.
“Both my cross-country and track coaches really motivated me to become better,” Reyna said. “Coach William Proctor from cross- country and Coach Eli Blanco from track were really awesome coaches.”
Reyna is waiting for the news on whether or not season will begin this fall.
“I had one more year to go since I took a redshirt season, which is why I was competing in outdoor track in the 2020 season before it got canceled during spring break,” Reyna said.
Even though Reyna graduated in the spring of 2019, he was still eligible to continue to participate and compete with his team in the 2020 outdoor track season.
“When it got canceled, a few weeks later we were told that we will be given our season back next year, which is this upcoming fall for me,” Reyna said. “Which is cool because I get to be studying to get my master’s degree and run at the same time. Although, I do not think if financial aid will cover this time, I guess it is just a confusing time for me and for everyone with this pandemic going on.”
Reyna is hoping that he can redeem himself this upcoming season from the injuries he encountered.
“I had several injuries during college,” Reyna said. “It was mainly my hip. I think it had to do with a hip alignment, and it just messed me up in general. I am hoping this season I can become better and stronger. It is just a waiting game at this point.”