Jonathan Sanchez, Buchanan High
He’s qualified because: Ran the fastest time among Central Section representatives in all divisions while placing first in the section (15:22) and third in the state (15:12). Those times were recorded against D-I competition.

In 2007, he was also named The Bee’s Runner of the Year after finishing second in the section and 12th in the state. Carrying a 4.2 grade-point average, he will attend Duke of the Atlantic Coast Conference on athletic scholarship.

Defining moment: Just beginning to recover from calf strains that severely impacted his training, he led the Oct. 11 Clovis Invitational at Woodward Park before finishing third by a second in an event generally considered a snapshot of the subsequent state championships at the same site. “Everything came together for him [at the Clovis Invitational],” Buchanan coach Marty Simpson said. “He knew at that point he was tough.”

Need to know: At Duke, in Durham, N.C., Sanchez will pursue a degree in medicine with a goal of becoming an anesthesiologist. He says he has carried this aspiration for several years since anesthesia failed during the second cancer surgery for his mother, Maria Sanchez, who remains in remission.

Coach's word: “Jonathan could have been better, but he missed 13 hard workouts because of injuries. I think he had [a 15:00 at Woodward Park] in him and could have been a state champ. But look how well he ran. He’s a quiet, reserved type of guy, a dynamite competitor who never wants to lose.” Buchanan's Marty Simpson said.

Opposing coach’s word: “I knew he was excellent at [Alta Sierra Intermediate]. Then it’s been a pleasure to watch him develop and mature. Anytime you get a guy who’s that talented and also well coached and has the work ethic he does, the sky’s going to be the limit for him. I think his best running has yet to come, and he will be a great addition for Duke.” Clovis East’s Jim Farmer said.

His own word: “My parents are runners, so I guess it comes naturally to me, and I love it. I spent most of the time in the present — my goals are always within reach. Obviously, I knew running would take me pretty far, and it’s going to take me to college.”

Jonathan Sanchez, as the son of parents with running backgrounds, took his genetics and skill and became a long-distance leader immediately when he launched his cross country career four years ago in eighth grade. He's never slowed down at Buchanan High.

Today, at The Fresno Bee All-Star finish line, he arrives first as the Boys runner of the year.

Sanchez was Central Section Division I champion and also a pacesetter for that region in the CIF State Championships at Woodward Park course, where Sanchez placed third.

Performing at this level on the California stage -- as large and challenging as there is in the country -- guarantees college opportunity, given grades to match the legs.

The future is set for Sanchez, who will run his next cross country meet for Duke of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

It is there in Durham, N.C., that the student with a 4.2 grade-point average will pursue a degree in medicine with a goal of becoming an anesthesiologist.

He says he has carried this aspiration for several years since anesthesia failed during the second cancer surgery for his mother, Maria Sanchez, who remains in remission.

Buchanan coach Marty Simpson has come to expect this kind of personal mission from The Bee's repeat Runner of the Year: "Jonathan's a quiet, reserved type of guy, but a dynamite competitor. He never wants to lose."