By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
Damian Nino has a goal to put Brownsville Porter on the map and help generate respect for the athletes that come out of his hometown.
The senior took the first step in his plan Monday when he signed to compete in track & field for Minot State University, an NCAA Division II school in Minot, N.D.
“It meant a lot. I started running at 8 years old, and around 10 years old I figured out I wanted to run at the college level. It’s been a long grind and a lot of work put into it. Sitting there and realizing that I made it and accomplished my dream, it was surreal and heartwarming,” Nino said.
Nino ran a lot of events for the Cowboys since the track & field program hasn’t always has the biggest numbers. He participated in all three relays at some point, and as an individual he did the 200- and 400-meter dashes. Nino said he’s expecting to compete in both individual races and relays for the Beavers.
Nino said he was “really proactive” in the recruitment process because he wanted to compete in college and gain the experience necessary to achieve his bigger life goals. Minot State is a long way from home, but that doesn’t give him any hesitation. In fact, it’s almost a bonus for Nino.
“(Minot State) offered me an official visit, which I took, and it was a big leap because I’d never been on a plane before or out of Texas. That didn’t stop me,” Nino said. “Everybody asks me, but I was never really scared of the idea of going out of state. My mentality is if you’re living life scared, you’re not really living life at all. I’ll be far from my family, of course I’ll miss them and my friends, but I feel like in the long term it’s going to improve my career and my education.”
Nino is going to major in exercise science and minor in English. His aspirations include becoming a college track coach, and even coaching and teaching English overseas. After he gains some life experience, Nino wants to return to Brownsville, particularly Porter if possible, to motivate and guide more athletes from the area to strive for better things.
Nino was inspired by the coaches and students he met during his time at Porter to make a difference. He hopes to return the favor in the future and change the way people think of Brownsville and its athletes.
“I think there’s so much work that needs to be done and I’m doing that first step to bring more attention to Brownsville,” Nino said. “I think we’re looked down on, being an athlete from Brownsville, as just kids from the border. Just Mexican kids running with no talent. I want to shine the light on Brownsville and the potential we have as athletes. Even though we have our struggles, we’re able to rise above that.
“I know so many kids that have it hard at home, and I feel like sports are that ticket to go out, go to college and get things funded, and explore the dreams and goals they have,” he added. “I really want to help start the wave in Brownsville to send kids to the college level. … I’m so grateful to have been an athlete here at Porter. I’m not saying I want to be someone people look up to. I don’t see myself like that. But I want to be an example that it is possible. That’s the greatest thing about this opportunity.”