A year ago, Otay Ranch long distance runner Luis Medina often found himself comfortably ahead of the pack while competing in the mile and two mile events for the Mustangs track team. He was good enough in fact, to gain entry into the county’s CIF Meet at season’s end. But after suffering a stress fracture of his femur during the fall cross country season, Medina was faced with a tough road back. He ran a 4:42 mile in his first official competition since the injury which was good enough for third place in last month’s meet against Chula Vista, but third place is not where Medina aspires to be.

   His friend and teammate, Carlos Hernandez, captured first place in that meet and found himself in the winner’s position, a place that last season pretty much belonged to Medina. This pair of Mustang runners has had their friendship tested by their reversed roles, but their new relationship has brought out the best in both of them.

   “Now that I am healthy again I am going to go all out and make him push me more,” Medina said following his return to competition.”

   Their friendship goes back a couple of years.

   “I met him in 10th grade while we were both running cross country. We became friends (outside of sports as well) and started hanging out together,” Medina said.

   Back then Hernandez was not much of a threat. He had not yet uncovered his potential as a long distance runner, but that changed prior to this current season.

   “I ran consistently over the break and I worked hard during our workouts, really pushing it. I don’t do anything fancy, I just try to keep up with the fastest person and do what they do,” Hernandez said.

   His increased effort has resulted in new found success including success against Medina who he always trailed prior to this year.

   “It used to be more like me following him. I don’t think I was really much of a rival. Now that he is coming back from an injury I am guessing that he is trying to improve again (and get back to where he was) so I don’t know that I would call it much of a rivalry. My best time in the mile so far is 4:36 and I have been able to beat him,” Hernandez said. Hernandez is not sure how long he will be able to keep doing it however with Medina now rounding back into shape.

   Both athletes plan to continue running cross country and track. And there friendship will not end when they graduate next month. Both runners will be heading to North Dakota’s Minot State where they will continue their careers as scholarship athletes.