“Successful people maintain a positive focus in life no matter what is going on around them. They stay focused on their past successes rather than their past failures, and on the next action steps they need to take to get them closer to the fulfillment of their goals rather than all the other distractions that life presents to them.”

- Jack Canfield

 

If I had one word to describe Austin Tamagno, it would probably be anomaly.

 

Google defines anomaly as “something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.”

 

Now I don’t know about most people, but I’d say running under 4:10 in the mile as a freshman is a bit different from the usual “standard” for freshman. Most guys run times like that their senior year.

 

So the question isn’t entirely who is Austin Tamagno, but rather what makes him so good at such a young age?

 

I first heard the name Austin Tamagno about two weeks ago. I had no idea who he was, what state he was from. I didn’t even know what grade he was in. After doing some quick research, (even though it took me about 10 minutes just to find his milesplit athlete profile) I found part of the information I needed.

 

After looking over his stats, my initial thought was “this kid is fast.” - End of story.

 

I then proceeded to look up some contact information - and I was successful.

 

I was able to track down Austin and get some inside information.

 

The sophomore out of Brea Olinda way out west in California is regarded as one of the leaders of his graduating class across the board, as well as one of the top guys in the nation.

 

At the high school level, the only things he hasn’t ran is the 100m and 200m. He is a true athlete.

 

 

Austin told me how he felt about being regarded as one of the leaders of his graduating class.

 

“Feels great. I just enjoy running against anyone whether they are older or younger than me.  There were a lot of sophomores in CaIi that stepped up this year and made big jumps. I know our class is very strong with very good runners so it should be fun to see how everyone improves by their senior year.”

 

Some might credit Austin’s success due to the fact that he had been running competitively since the 7th grade, a time when the body is starting to make major changes and is still in the process of growing.

 

Austin, a very optimistic kind of guy said that his sophomore year of Cross Country and Track & Field had been historic. However, they didn’t end as well as he wanted them to. As always, there's room for improvement, but Austin wanted to have been able to push it just a little bit further.

Even though he didn't reach the exact level that he wanted, Austin is still proud and very supportive to his fellow classmates.

"Very surprised at how well the sophomore class ran this year, if you compare their times this year from their freshman year."

 

In the fall this year, Austin won the Mt. Sac Invitational, running 14:39.00. He ran his PR of 15:03.00 at the CIF California State Cross Country Championships, where he finished 3rd. He finished up the season with a 19th place finish at Nike Cross Nationals, running 15:25.00.

 

In the spring, Austin continued to light up the track. He finished 2nd in the 1600m at the CIF California Track and Field State Championships, running 4:09.57 and ran 9:00.50 in the 3200m, finishing 6th in the prelims. 

He later ran the One Mile run at the 2014 Brooks PR Invitational, finishing 2nd with a 4:06.67.

He ended sophomore year with a spectacular run at the 2014 USATF Junior National Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He finished 6th in both the prelims and finals, running a PR or 3:54.04, and then another PR of 3:53.39

 

 

 

With sophomore year here and gone, Austin Tamagno eagerly looks to come back for round 3 with a message.

 

 

"This next coming year I want my team to make it to Nike NXN (Nike Cross Nationals) and get a shot at the national championship. I believe we can reach that goal. If that happens then I would like to win NXN."

 

"If my team doesn't make it and I do, I would like to decline the NXN offer and run at Foot Locker. All of the fast incoming seniors will be running there. I would like to beat Fisher at Foot Locker."

 

Along with wanting the best competition, Tamagno is one of the top guys in the nation as well as one of the most humble ones as well.

 

Austin Tamagno hasn't given any of this a quick thought - or maybe he has. Either way, he is 100% sure of whatever he says he wants to do - and I believe he will do what he says.

 

"For track, I would like to qualify for the Dream Mile as well as break 4 in the mile, and run 8:45 in the 2 mile. Also I’d like to be the Gatorade winner if that’s in reach."

 

Tamagno is looking to be a state champion this year in both Cross Country and Track and Field, a feat that not many athletes achieve - especially in the same school year. Austin will undoubtedly get two more chances for each sport to reach his goal, and is in the running to be a Cross Country and Track and Field champion two years in a row.

 

Austin later explains that his running is more to him than most would think.

 

“I just want to be remembered when I leave high school not only as being fast but also to encourage other runners to go beyond their limits and to never give up on their goals.”

 

With that in mind, Austin lives by a very simple thought.

 

“Your results will only be from how hard you work.”

 

One of the first steps to success is truly knowing yourself. I asked Austin how he felt with his last few runs of sophomore year.

 

“Brooks PR was where I got my PR in the mile but I knew I could go a lot faster than 4:06. Junior Nats, went out way too slow and I couldn't help that but I closed in 57 sec. the last lap. I just need to get stronger for next year and keep maturing.”

 

As our conversation ended, I asked Austin what makes him keep going. What makes him push so hard? Ultimately, what’s that “something” inside of him that clicks and allows him to turn into something spectacular.

 

He said:

 

“I just enjoy being competitive and running against older guys. I hate losing and always run my heart out every race. Everyone told me when I first started running that I was going to be good and should stick to the sport so that's what I did. I want to get a college scholarship through running and see how far the sport takes me”

 

Every athlete has the dream of making national headlines and being noticed. Every athlete wants to be good at what they do. But with a little bit of belief and hard work, there will come a time when every athlete has that moment.

The question that remains is what will you do in that moment?

Austin Tamagno is a hands-down athlete.  Who knows what Austin Tamagno will do this year? But whatever he does in the future, it’s going to be something truly amazing.