As a standout athlete in both track and field and cross country, Pahrump Valley High School senior Antonio Veloz is no stranger to early mornings, long runs, and the mental grind of competition. Now, with a commitment to continue his athletic and academic journey at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN), Antonio is taking a moment to reflect on the experiences, people, and perseverance that brought him to this point—and what lies ahead.
From a young age, Antonio was immersed in the world of running. Influenced heavily by his father, who ran local 5Ks, and supported by his elementary school’s mileage reward program, he quickly discovered a love for pushing himself. “Coach Englund had a program, and if you ran a certain number of miles, you got these little foot-shaped dog tags you could wear on a chain. And if you hit the max—like 500 miles—you got these big feet,” he said, recalling the excitement of those elementary milestones. “It kind of sparked my competitiveness.”
That spark turned into a passion, and by sixth grade, Antonio joined his school’s cross country team. Aside from his eighth-grade year, canceled due to COVID, he’s been running competitively ever since. He began track in eighth grade and has continued every year through his senior season.
For Antonio, the decision to commit to CSN wasn’t the result of one defining moment but rather a steady series of signs that the Las Vegas-based school was the right fit. “It was a culmination of things,” he said. “The coach reached out to me directly—out of the blue—and said he wanted me to run for him. That was huge. I didn’t even message him first. It made me feel wanted, like I didn’t have to chase the opportunity. It came to me.”
CSN’s affordability, proximity to home, and the fact that Antonio already knows people attending there also factored into his decision. And while running is a major part of his next chapter, so is business—literally. Antonio plans to major in business, inspired by both the entrepreneurial opportunities in Las Vegas and a deeper personal mission. “I’ve always dreamed of having my own business,” he said. “And more recently, I’ve had this idea of starting something where the profits could help athletes from rural or lower-income areas reach their goals.”
His time as a student-athlete has already shaped him into a motivated, thoughtful leader. “Being in sports made me more social,” he said, noting his transformation from a shy middle schooler to a confident, outgoing high school senior. “I got comfortable with my teammates, which helped me get comfortable being uncomfortable. Whether that was from grueling workouts or just pushing my own limits socially and mentally, it made me stronger.”
His growth extended beyond the track and into the classroom. While Antonio has always been a strong student, athletics provided a steady reminder to stay on top of his academics. “I had to keep my grades up to compete, and it showed me that I could handle the tough stuff,” he said. “It proved to me that I could take challenging classes and still succeed.”
Antonio’s high school experience is full of memories, but none top the thrill of breaking the school record in the 4×400 meter relay during his junior year. “We also won the regional championship that same day. It was the best memory I’ve had in sports—maybe in life. Everyone was so excited, hugging and high-fiving. We were proud of each other and ourselves. It was just such a fun, fulfilling moment.”
Throughout his athletic journey, Antonio has been guided by a web of mentors and peers who’ve lifted him up and helped him thrive. “My dad was my coach in middle school, and I also had Mrs. Floyd, who made running so enjoyable,” he said. In high school, he was coached by Mr. Odegard—someone he has known his entire life—and Mr. Herron, whom he credits with being especially inspirational and motivational. “Coach Herron made me want to be great. He believed in me and constantly pushed me to keep going.”
Antonio also holds deep appreciation for his teammates, especially the upperclassmen who welcomed him as a freshman and showed him the ropes. “They made it a place I wanted to be. I looked forward to practice more than school some days. And when they graduated, I wanted to be that kind of influence for the younger runners.”
In fact, being a team captain and leader has been one of the most rewarding parts of his high school career. “I was a team captain for cross country starting sophomore year and again during my senior year of track,” he shared. “But really, my teammates were leading me as much as I was leading them. Their respect and belief in me gave me the motivation to keep showing up and to do my best—so they would too.”
As he prepares for the transition to college athletics, Antonio is looking forward to tougher workouts and competing alongside talented teammates who will push him to new levels. But he’s also focused on learning how to be independent and manage the increased demands of college life. “Time management is going to be a big challenge,” he admitted. “I’ll need to balance my training, academics, and recovery while making sure I stay healthy—physically and mentally.”
He knows there will be setbacks—perhaps injuries or struggles with progress—but he’s ready to tackle those challenges head-on with the same consistency and accountability that brought him success in high school. “You don’t have to over work yourself in practice every day,” he advised younger athletes. “Just show up consistently. Do something—even if it’s small—every day to keep improving. Hold yourself and your teammates accountable, and keep working.”
Support from his community has helped make his journey possible. While he noted limited support from his school beyond the efforts of Ms. Hagstrom, who gave solid advice on college athletics, he praised his friends, family, and especially his mom. “She showed up to everything. She and my dad bought my gear, fed me, gave me advice—they gave me everything I needed to succeed.”
Antonio also gave a shoutout to his coaches—Herron, Odegard, and Nagle—for believing in him and doing everything they could to help him reach his goals. “They always encouraged me and were there for me when it counted.”
As he gets ready to leave his hometown, Antonio says what he’ll miss most is his mom and the close-knit support system he’s built. “I’ll miss my family, my teammates, my cousin Aydon, and all the support from my extended family. But especially my teammates—they’ve been a huge part of my life. They tell me they look up to me, but really, I look up to them just as much. They gave me the drive to be better. I didn’t want to let them down.”
With his sights set on CSN, a promising collegiate running career, and long-term dreams of using business as a platform to uplift others, Antonio Veloz is heading into the next chapter with heart, humility, and high aspirations—grateful for where he’s been, and ready for where he’s going.
1 Comment
Great story!! Great kiddo!!