Jan. 11, 2025
By Madison Quick
Staff Writer
Sophomore distance runner Gabriel Campos is proving to be a rising star.
On Nov. 2, Campos placed 14th in the 3.1-mile race at the North 2, Group 2 New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Sectionals at Greystone Central Park in Morris Plains. Finishing in 16 minutes, 52 seconds, Campos became the fastest runner in LHS history to complete the course at Greystone.
Campos’ record is on display in the field house locker room.
“It’s cool to have your name on the records board. I was very proud of myself for that one,” Campos said.
Last year, Campos ran on the varsity cross country and outdoor track and field teams. This year, he also joined the indoor track and field team.
“This is my first year doing this,” Campos said. “My expectation is just to get more comfortable with indoor track and the environment that it brings.”
During last year’s outdoor track season, Campos competed in the mile and two-mile races, with a personal record of 4 minutes, 55 seconds for the mile. He said his goal for this indoor track season is to drop his time for the mile to 4 minutes, 50 seconds.
“He’s one of the hardest working [runners] on our team.”
Campos said his training routine is demanding. During cross country season, he ran 45 miles a week, and now he is running 25 miles a week.
“It’s a lot of constant work. You always have to build up mileage,” Campos said.
Sophomore Gabriel Angelli, who joined the varsity cross country and indoor track teams this year, said he enjoys rooting for Campos.
“It’s so fun watching him race because he’s always at the top of the pack, and he’s always going really fast,” Angelli said.
He attributes Campos’ success to his dedication.
“He’s one of the hardest working [runners] on our team,” Angelli said. “He’s always just trying to push himself to the limit.”
Coach Aviles, who is the assistant coach for the cross country team and distance coach for the indoor and outdoor track teams, said he was impressed by Campos’ achievement at state sectionals.
“We haven’t had a kid [run] under 17 [minutes] since 2014, and those [were] seniors, and Gabe’s a sophomore, so that just puts it into perspective,” Aviles said. “[He is] definitely the top sophomore in the league and has to be one of the top sophomores in the county.”
Aviles said he is certain Campos will continue thriving as a runner.
“Gabe is going to be a huge part of our distance crew,” Aviles said. ”He’s going to be a big factor [in] distance success.”
