When Francesca Green outlined her vision for the UTEP track program she took over eight months ago, she sounded like she had Juan Leal in mind.
The sophomore Leal actually preceded at UTEP Green by a year, he preceded her in El Paso by his whole life. When he was growing up on the path that eventually led him to Franklin High School, he would have been something of a unicorn at UTEP: a middle distance runner from America, from El Paso’s West Side.
Local becomes a champion
When he won the mile at the Conference USA Indoor Track and Field Championships last month, Leal became the first El Pasoan to win a conference title since Franklin’s Paulo Benevides won the CUSA vault in 2021, which in turn was the first conference title by an El Pasoan since Coronado High School’s Jallycia Pearcon won the CUSA heptathlon in 2014.
Presumably it will become more common in the future, as Leal is part of a vanguard of locals who could become the face of the program moving forward. Leal is the present, but in some ways, he’s also the future.
“I’m pretty happy that they’re getting El Paso kids and Texas kids more of a chance here,” Leal said. “It’s good that they’re giving opportunities to the local kids.”
And to be clear, that’s something Leal always wanted when he arrived on campus last year.
Juan Leal: Happy representing El Paso
“All my sisters went to UTEP,” Leal said. “I’ve always loved El Paso, to be honest. A lot of people, for some reason, don’t and want to leave, but I’ve always really appreciated the city. I appreciate the mountains and the culture. I’m really happy being here and representing El Paso. I don’t think many locals get to win a conference title for UTEP.
“That’s one of the reasons why I stayed. It’s much more meaningful to run for a school that represents you and your city and everything you’re about, deserts and mountains, my Mexican heritage.”
When the program turned over in July, when he realized he was going to have to change coaches, Leal never considered changing schools. He’s home.
And along the way, he’s found a new level this year. A strong freshman campaign has now given way to a conference championship as a sophomore and high expectations for the outdoor season, which begins with a home meet this Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21.
Leal heads into it with plenty of momentum after a special race in the mile at the CUSA championships, which was his first individual meet title since high school and a big personal best (4:07.50).
“I knew I was going to do better than last year, I guess I just wasn’t thinking about winning the conference championship,” Leal said. “For the first couple seconds, I didn’t know if I won. I threw my arms, ‘Like, what’s going on?’
“Then they put it up on the big screen, it was a pretty good feeling to (celebrate) with my teammates and my coaches.”
Juan Leal brings ‘quiet fire’ to UTEP track
His coaches were in the mood to celebrate.
“It was really sweet,” Green said. “I was very proud of him. I watched him work during training and during practice and every day he was out there not only working hard, but the relationship he’s building with his coach (Justin Herbert) day-in, day-out. It’s such a privilege to be able to watch someone when they put in the work and then you see the outcome of their results.
“That’s what I want here, to be able to continue to build a program that can become next level, and it starts with with kids such as Juan. I want every kid to look at what he’s done. It was neat to see him get that conference title. I was very excited for him.”
As for what Green has noticed about Leal, it’s that work ethic.
“He’s got that quiet fire,” Green said. “He’s not a loud kid. He’s not someone who talks a lot, he’s a humble, quiet kid who just works hard.
“Sometimes those are the ones that make your best athletes. Seeing him carrying that of El Paso pride, you can see it every step in his race.”
His next race will be here in El Paso as he launches his second outdoor campaign at UTEP.
“The goal is to make regionals in the 1,500,” Leal said. “Now the floor is rising, the competition is getting better and faster. That’s a new standard, to run a 3:40, 3:41 just to make regionals (his winning mile time at CUSA translates to a 3:48.5 1,500).
“That’s pretty crazy but that’s the goal. I’m focused on staying consistent, timing everything right and being ready for the bigger meets.”
That’s the road map for the spring, and best of all for Leal, he’s chasing it in a UTEP uniform in the hometown he loves so much.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Franklin alum Juan Leal brings love of El Paso to UTEP track team
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
