Thursday, October 28, 2010

Going the Distance ... Rafael "Rafi" Perez

No one calls him Rafael, nor do I remember anyone calling him anything other than “Rafi.” Since his freshman year he has always shown a commitment to pushing himself as hard and as far as he can possibly achieve.


If King Cross Country has one member that embodies the soul and spirit of everything we try to teach as coaches, it is easy to point out Rafi. Even before this year when we as coaches decided to use the words and wisdom of John Wooden as to inspire our team, Rafi led by example. He clearly sees himself as a teacher, always encouraging others to forgo negativity and do their best. He himself admits that he smiles even when he is sad or depressed as he feels it is his purpose on earth to inspire others, to shine a light in a world that often only sees the negative, and to live life with integrity. At a race or in practice, Rafi is always positive, always pushing himself and other team members to have confidence in themselves.

Integrity is not just a word to Rafi, but a way of living out his faith and serving others. As his senior year comes to an end, it is clear that he his contribution to the team is more than just being a good runner. He has poured out his spirit for the team and shown a determination to be a leader. As he finishes the race next week, he can say that he has kept the faith and has earned the admiration of his team.

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