For PVHS distance runner Joaquin Flores, breaking a school record was never just a passing thought. It was a goal he carried with him throughout the entire season — one that became reality at the Richard Lewis Invitational in Moapa, on April 24, 2026, when he shattered a 21-year-old school record in the 3200-meter run.
Flores clocked a time of 9:55.28 in the event, surpassing the previous record of 9:57.30 that had stood untouched for more than two decades.
“It was definitely a long-term goal,” Flores said. “It’s really exciting when you figure out that you broke a record somebody at that school has never beaten. It’s honestly just an amazing experience.”
The record-breaking performance did not happen by accident. Flores said the opportunity came together after discussions with his coaches in the weeks leading up to regionals.
“Two weeks before regionals, my coach asked me to not do much because I’d already done so much throughout the season,” Flores explained. “He said I could either choose one event or none, so I ended up choosing the two mile because I was really set on a goal of breaking a school record this school year.”
From the moment the meet began, Flores said he mentally prepared himself for the race every time he warmed up.
“I got in a mindset where I was just ready to go race,” he said. “I’d see everybody else racing and I was thinking, ‘Okay, I’m ready for this two mile. I think I can hit these times. I really believe in myself.’”
Once the race started, Flores settled into a comfortable pace early, running alongside another competitor through the opening laps before finding another gear midway through the race.
“The first three laps, I was hanging around this kid named Benson,” Flores said. “It honestly felt really easy. Then he started to slow down and I just kind of got into this new gear and went off.”
Rather than fading late, something distance runners often battle in the demanding event, Flores said he felt unusually strong as the race progressed.
“It honestly felt like I was just cruising because I was going at the same pace every lap,” he said. “Then the last two laps, I really had to speed it up, and it honestly felt easy to speed up. I preserved energy.”
As the finish drew closer, the energy from the sidelines pushed him even further.
“I had Coach Bryce yelling at me, ‘Go, go, go, go,’” Flores said. “When I had 200 left and Coach Bryce said I could get it, I just really went.”
The final stretch brought a feeling Flores said he had never experienced before.
“It was so great to feel that,” he said. “I’ve never felt really blurry in a race before, but it was honestly such an amazing feeling because it was like, I was really locked in.”
The emotional reaction after crossing the finish line reflected how much the accomplishment meant, not only to Flores, but to the people who helped him get there.
“I was jumping for joy,” Flores said. “The coaches were crying. It was actually great. I was like, ‘Man, I just did it.’”
Flores credited much of his development this year to Head Cross Country coach Erik Odegard, whom he referred to as “Odie,” saying the entire program has reached a new level under his leadership.
“He’s honestly set new standards for us because our team’s never been like this before,” Flores said. “We’ve never run this much mileage or done these kinds of workouts. This program is progressing and evolving.”
Flores said the increased training intensity and support from the coaching staff gave him confidence he had not previously felt.
“The training and the coaches’ support honestly made me feel a lot more confident in myself,” he said. “I felt more prepared for track because of that.”
He also pointed to several teammates and friends who helped push him throughout the season, especially during cross country.
“Joshua Gent really pushed me because he helped me actually try to compete,” Flores said. “He’s really a person I wanted to beat. Even though he’s my friend, he was beating me, so it made me want to beat him more.”
Another major influence came from standout sprinter and mid-distance talent Ben De Santiago.
“Benjamin Santiago pushed me because he’s way faster than me,” Flores said with a laugh. “I really had to find the next gear to push myself harder. I still couldn’t beat him, but it’s amazing that I’ve gotten to times I thought I couldn’t get to.”
Outside of competition, Flores made sure to recognize the role his parents played in helping him reach this point in his athletic journey.
“My mom and my dad truly supported me,” he said. “They helped me get the stuff I needed this year. Last year, I really didn’t have what I needed, so this year it’s been so much better getting actual racing shoes.”
While the school record now belongs to him, Flores is already looking ahead toward even larger goals entering his senior season.
“I’m ready to go break the mile record and go break the 800 record,” he said. “And I want to put the two mile record a lot lower.”
Beyond track, Flores also has ambitious goals in cross country, including running a sub-16-minute 5K.
“I really want to get into the 15s,” he said. “Cross country is a much different sport because your mental is much better compared to track because you’re not running in a circle. Honestly, you feel like you can go faster in cross.”
He also hopes to compete for PVHS Student Athlete of the Year honors before graduating.
“Honestly, that’s a big goal of mine,” Flores said. “But if I don’t, it’s okay because I’m still going to college.”
While Flores has already etched his name into PVHS track history, he is far from satisfied. With his senior season still ahead, he already has his sights set on more school records, faster times and continued growth both on the track and in cross country.
“I’m ready to work hard,” Flores said.
