By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — Eric Quilantan shined on multiple competition surfaces throughout his Harlingen High Cardinals career.
He played basketball, football and soccer, but ever since he was a little boy, track & field has been his passion. On Friday, surrounded by his large and endlessly supportive family, Quilantan signed his letter of intent to compete in track & field for the University of Incarnate Word.
“It feels so surreal. This has been my dream since I was 6 years old and started running summer track. It’s always been a passion, and for all the hard work to pay off and to be here is just amazing,” Quilantan said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing how the competition is over there. It’s going to be a lot harder, so I’m going to get pushed a lot more and that’s all I want, just to better myself.”
Quilantan had a full program as a key part of the highly successful Cardinals track & field team. In the 2021 season, he did the long and triple jumps, 200-meter dash, 400 relay and his specialty was the 400 dash. Quilantan is a two-time state qualifier and won countless individual medals as he helped Harlingen High win a plethora of trophies, including three District 32-6A and area championships, and the program’s first Region IV-6A title this season.
He’s expecting a similar workload with UIW while competing in the Southland Conference at the NCAA Division I level. Harlingen High track coach Efrain Ambriz said Quilantan’s competitive spirit will help him do big things for his new Cardinals team, just like he always has when decked out in red & white.
“His whole career has been really amazing. For Eric to be leading the way (for our team) is really special, and I’m really happy and proud for him and his family,” Ambriz said. “Eric is probably the most versatile athlete I’ve ever been around. In track, he was able to do so many events for us, running, jumping, hurdling at one point, doing multiple relays. And helping the entire program in football, soccer, basketball … He’s honestly probably one of the most talented athletes to walk these halls.”
Quilantan’s journey to being a DI athlete began more than one decade ago. From starting summer track as a child — and qualifying for state competitions — to being a multi-sport standout at Harlingen High, Quilantan has learned a lot about how to conduct himself to reach his fullest potential. He’ll lean on those lessons while at UIW as he studies biology and shows that “Cardinal spirit never dies” with his new team.
Every step of the way, Quilantan has had a strong support system around him, and he extended gratitude to all who helped him reach his latest milestone.
“All the sports I did helped me with who I am today,” Quilantan said. “Football, I only played my senior year, but it taught me a lot about discipline and being punctual. Basketball helped with leadership and teamwork. Track was more of an individual sport, and it helped me gain confidence in myself and believe in myself. That’s what I’ll take with me to college.
“Definitely thank my parents, they’ve been there through it all. And my sisters have always been there for me,” he continued. “My coaches really pushed me to my full potential. (Lady Cardinals basketball coach Ashley Moncivaiz), she’s always been helping me for as long as I can remember. All my family and friends being by my side was great. Thanks to the man upstairs. He’s the one that made it all possible.”