Mexico Native Athlete at UA

Wednesday, 02 September 2009 19:43

The University of Arizona attracts athletes from across the country; from Arizona to California, Idaho to Colorado and even as far as the east coast. The Arizona Track and Field team also recruits and finds prospects outside of the United States.

One location close to UA is right across the border in Mexico. Redshirt senior, Luis Rivera, is a key asset to the UA Men’s Track and Field squad. Rivera is from Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico.

Until a few years ago, Mexico was not a hotspot for track and field athletics. “Since Ana Guevara, a former World Champion in the 400 meters, Mexico has found track a sport to look at,” Rivera said.

Growing up, Rivera and his friends from school and town played soccer every day. “When I was like 12, I played soccer and my coach thought that I was faster than the other kids,” said Rivera. “Coach told me to try track, and from then on, it’s always been track for me.” Rivera eventually left his friends behind to pursue a track scholarship in the United States.

“When I came to the US, to CACC (Central Arizona Community College), I was amazed by the facilities they had and the work they provide and the support for the athletes,” Rivera said. Once he had the opportunity to run at the UA, he was astonished and gladly accepted the challenge of racing at an NCAA level. “The facilities are first class and the professionalism of the coaches demonstrates that the NCAA is the best college organization in the world,” Rivera said.

Rivera’s favorite aspects of being on a track and field team in the US are the facilities, coaching, exposure and the elevated level of competition available.

Rivera said that being an athlete in the US, has caused some notoriety from people back home. “I had local interviews at a TV channel and at a radio station and people know me from that,” said Rivera. “It’s a good feeling to have someone you don’t know recognize that a local is doing well for themselves in the US.”

As a senior, Rivera is competing in the long jump for UA. Rivera finished in 9th place at the NCAA National Indoor Championships. He continued his success finishing 5th in the west regional advancing to the NCAA Outdoor Championships. In addition, he earned All-Conference honors for the Pac-10.

Rivera explained that track has progressed in his home town since he first became interested in the sport. “There are many organizations and schools supporting track which gives more opportunities to explode the potential that Mexico has,” Rivera said.

Written by Grant Becker