By Derrick Smith

When a student makes a decision to play a sport, in most cases, they are not just doing it for something to do. Usually, they want to reach their full potential in that sport. Kayden Chaparro runs track and cross country for Yukon High School and he says that wanting to be at the top is what keeps him working hard. 

“My motivation is my goal and desire to be one of the best runners in the state,” Kayden said. “It will take a lot of work and dedication, but that is the goal I have set for myself.”

Chaparro, who is a senior, has enjoyed some great moments during his running career. But out of them all, he has one that he considers his favorite. 

“The highlight of my career happened during my junior year at the state cross country  meet,” he said. “I was trying all season just to at least a 16:50 5k when I had been running low 17’s all year. When I was on the last stretch of the state meet I saw that I was about to go way under 17 minutes by 30 seconds. It had shown me that all my efforts for that year payed off.”

There have been many people that have had an influence on Kayden’s life over the years, but he has a few that have made a life changing impact on him.

“The biggest influences have been my family, coaches, and current and former teammates,” he said. “They all believe in my ability and don’t just say I’m gonna do big things but they genuinely believe it to and the expect me to be the best I can be. Also, coach Parent has  helped me find joy in this sport by making it an overall life changing experience and I feel like we really bonded my junior year when he’d tell me if i’d finish in the top 15 at a big meet then I’d get a chest bump. Just the little things he does like that makes me love this sport even more.”