Track and Field’s Villarreal Gives Hometown Inspiration
By Steven Shaff, NAU Media Relations
Photo courtesy of the Eloy
Enterprise
ELOY, Ariz. - Shot put has become a popular sport in Eloy and for good reason.
Northern Arizona senior Javier Villarreal, who grew up in the Southern Arizona town of 10,000, is well respected for his accomplishments at the local high school and his success at Northern Arizona University.
“Javier is a testimony to the type of person we look for as it relates to all of our kids,” said Santa Cruz Valley Union High School Principal Orante Jenkins. “I hate to use role model but he is the prototype all of our kids should follow.”
Last week Villarreal was honored by being chosen to speak to the Class of 2010 at the SCUV High School commencement ceremonies on May 20.
“It is a tradition for the student council to look for an alum who has gone out and bettered themselves as an individual and pursued a higher level of education,” said Jenkins. “They did not take long because they have followed his success and his name rose right to the top.”
Villarreal broke the school records in the shot put and discus as a senior, winning the 3A state championship and breaking a record that stood for almost 50 years. Five years later, he is back at graduation as an example of what you can become when you chase your dreams.
“Coming back is always good for me and I get a chance see everybody,” said Villarreal, who returns each summer to workout at the school. “We have so many talented athletes coming out of Eloy (that) end up giving up way too soon. Making up to this point (in my career) and becoming commencement speaker, if I can do it having the situation I had growing up than anybody can do it.”
The fact that the students chose Villarreal, who was a 2010 Big Sky All-Academic selection, to speak had special meaning to the elementary education major.
“That was an honor in itself,” said Villarreal, who recently won his fifth career Big Sky Conference shot put title. “Growing up in that town and seeing certain situations since I was a little kid, I had a real powerful message to relate and not just to the class of 2010 but the Eloy community as well.”
His message was simple. Pick your passion and pursue it.
“I let the kids know it is not easy at all by any means,” said Villarreal. “You have to find out what you love to do and take advantage of it to the fullest. The experience I had up here at NAU was an experience of a lifetime. It changes you for the rest of the life.”
Villarreal has made himself a success with his work ethic and dedication both in the shot ring and classroom. He will complete his student teaching in the fall before joining the real world. He will have numerous job offers back home. In fact, he got three last week alone.
For the immediate future, Villarreal hopes to cap his collegiate track and field career in style. He will complete in Austin, Texas, at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field West Preliminary Round this Thursday for a chance to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
“I just want to go out and have fun,” aid Villarreal. “This is my fifth year. I know the technique and know what to expect from being at this championship before. It is not nerves, it is just time to get after it. It is my last chance to get All-America and I am hungry for it.”
He is already an All-American in Eloy.
