Senior Jovarie Hayden, Ridgeview’s number two runner in the 100 meters set a record of 10 seconds and 68 milliseconds, is taking his track journey to succeed at Fresno Pacific University. Hayden is also a top basketball player for Ridgeview.
When asked why Hayden wants to continue his track journey at Fresno Pacific he states, “They can actually give athletic scholarships and it’s pretty close to home.” When questioning Hayden about how long he’s been doing track he states, “I have been doing this since Sophomore year, but also during elementary school, but it isn’t as serious as it is now.” Track is mostly about being fast and also athletic and there always has to be a reason to join. Hayden states, “I knew I was pretty fast and athletic.”
Despite only doing track for three years here at Ridgeview Hayden has set a record for the 4×200 meter relay this year with a record of 1 minute and 31 seconds. Hayden’s favorite track event to participate in this year would be the 100-meter dash. Hayden states, “The 100 is pretty fast so you have less time to build a strategy, but I think I got it down to a point where I could still focus on my strategy and have fun in the race.” As this is Hayden’s last year, he is set to put all of his hard work and dedication to the four-year college.
Coach Chris Arguello has a strong connection to Hayden by working with him his junior year during football season. Arguello states, “Jojo is easy to coach and very coachable, he can take criticism and wants to be better.” With last season being plagued with injuries, Arguello believes that he has been healthy and has put work in as he is the leader on the team. When asked what Hayden’s hardest meet might have been he states, “I think that Jovarie’s hardest meet was at the Arcadia invitational just because of the gravity of that meet.” With teams from 37 states and two international teams. Hayden and his 4×100 meter relay teammates Junior, Angel Corona, Sophomore, Bryce Gridiron and Senior, Ezekiel Thomas earned a spot to be there. Arguello then goes on to say, “Track is different in that as much as it is a sport when you compete against others, but you also have to compete against yourself.”
With many other seniors leaving like Jovarie, Janiah, Don and Felipe or any other seniors, Arguello believes that there is a level of trust and respect that is built up over the years. Arguello states, “As coaches we only know we can rely on these athletes to go out and represent themselves, the school and us coaches as well.”
