Because of his grandmother junior, Brian Gonzalez won’t ever quit track.

Gonzalez said, “Wins do not motivate me to try harder. It is my grandma’s death that has kept me from quitting track. The last words she told me were, ‘Do it in the name of the family.’”

Gonzalez is El Paso’s fastest 400 meter runner. Brian has been scouted by a total of 12 schools: Texas Christian University, Baylor University, Texas A&M, Harvard University, Stanford University, Tennessee University, Penn State University, Columbia University, Humboldt State University, Miami University and the University of California at Los Angeles.

Gonzalez won first in the 400 meter run at all local tournaments, and at the Region 1 championships. Gonzalez placed fourth at state.

Gonzalez said, “My race was very intense. I know I could have done better. The only thing that was going through my mind was ‘At least get yourself on that podium and rank among top four.’ The goals I have for next year are to place first at state in 2016, and to be No.1 in the nation.”

Gonzalez said he “plays it smart” year-round by eating healthy foods, running daily and training as if he was already No.1.

Coach Rene Silva, the head coach for Bel Air’s Track team, has been Gonzalez’s coach since freshman year.

Silva said, “I am very proud of Brian, and all that he has accomplished. To place fourth at state is a huge accomplishment. Next year I hope for Brian to return to state and improve his time.”

Gonzalez ran the 400 meter dash at 48.88 seconds at state, and he hopes to improve that by running it in 45 seconds.

By Christian Hernandez