Thunderbird All-American Runner
James Mello
Returning sophomore cross country runner Carlos Roa has set his sights on becoming an All-American back-to-back despite heart, economic, and family obstacles in his way.
At the recent Region I Conference Meet, Roa showed he is getting back to the form he was at last season. He was the top finisher for Mesa in the race, finishing with a respectable 10th position overall.
“I feel like my season has gone pretty well so far. I’m not at the level I want to be at yet, but I am working all the time,” Roa said. “We have practice at 5 in the morning every day, and I run again at night to get more work in.”
Roa battles an undiagnosed heart problem that he says comes around every spring.
“During the spring I get chest pains, my bones crack, as well as I get out of breath quickly. It goes away before cross country season,” Roa said. “I have been told it could be because of enlarged or too small of a heart. I have thought about going back to Mexico to get it looked at, but I don’t want to leave my family.”
“Always run with your heart,” Pastor Ramon Ortiz, Roa’s father figure, tells him during training and before every meeting to counter the negative thoughts that come up from the problem.
Roa grew up without a father, but from the age of 3, Ortiz was there for him as one would be.
“It was hard when he passed away (in) my senior year of high school,” Roa said, “but I love running because every time I do it, I feel like he is with me.”
Roa’s mother is facing deportation from the country, and Roa has worked hard to help support his brother Eduardo and get the family’s rent paid.
He sold candy in his neighborhood and in the streets to make sure his family would have a roof over their head and food in their bellies.
“It was tough for me to find a job without a vehicle to get me there during the summer,” Roa said, “but I did what I had to do and I now got at a job at my mobile park, so we do not have to pay rent anymore.”
“He (Roa) is a true gentlemen on an off the course,” cross country head coach Eamonn Condon said. “I believe he will excel at nationals again and I am excited for him to do it.”
