Escareno doesn't run from past, he's focused on future

When talking to Harper College redshirt sophomore men's cross country runner Jesus Escareno, he will not shy away from talking about his past.

But by the same token, he does not want that to define his cross country career. The Rolling Meadows graduate qualified for the state meet in cross country and in the 3,200 meters in track for Jim Voyles.

When asked what sport Escareno likes best, his voice perked up a little bit and he answered, "I like cross country more."

That's a good thing for Harper coach Paul Paynter.

Escareno was never one of the Mustangs' top runners, calling his performances "up and down." Not only were his results like riding a roller-coaster at Great America, but his grades were not great and he graduated with a C average.

Because of his grades and his uneven performances, Escareno was not recruited by four-year schools. He was recruited by former Harper cross country coach Dan Delahunt, who left after the 2008 track season.

"Harper was a great place to start," Escareno said.

Everything Escareno had been working for started to fall into place - but that all changed after the spring semester.

Escareno had to enroll in summer classes to be eligible for the 2008 cross country season. The Hawks ended up finishing in seventh place in Escareno's absence. He enrolled in three summer classes, where he earned two B's but missed a D by 0.1 point, which made him academically ineligible for the 2008 cross country and track seasons.

"It was huge," said head coach Paul Paynter of Escareno's ineligibility. "I knew he was going to be back, so I knew that was going to be on the other side of the coin."

Paynter redshirted Escareno, whose ineligibility was a big blow to the team.

He came in second at the NJCAA national meet in 2007 and earned All-America honors. He also ran a personal-best 26:17 as a freshman.

"It was not where I want to be," Escareno said of being second in nationals. "Every day I think about it (being second) a little bit. Especially when I slow down and don't try as hard during a workout."

"He knows how to bring the best when it is required," Paynter said.

Escareno has returned to the Hawks' lineup for the 2009 season. He has some lofty goals he wants to achieve before he hands in his Harper jersey.

He has personal goals of running in the 25:40s and winning five of the eight meets the Hawks run this season. He has already won two races this season, as the men's and women's teams just finished a three-meet stretch where they competed against four-year schools.

"I did pretty bad personally for myself," Escareno said of the Illinois State meet three weeks ago.

Two days before the University of Minnesota meet two weeks ago Escareno cut his toe, which Paynter said should have required stitches.

But Escareno ran anyway and finished 71st out of 267 runners at the University of Minnesota. Last weekend he was 19th out of 104 when the Hawks ran at Carthage College.

If one just looks at the order of finish for the last three meets they may not be blown away. But Paynter said "he will run better when he is running with his competition level."

Escareno is not the only one of with high goals.

"I would expect him to be an All-American," Paynter said. "I would expect him to be in the top five at the worst (at the national meet). He can be national champion."

Escareno is being recruited by the University of Chicago. When it comes to track, Paynter believes steeplechase will probably be Escareno's event at the next level.

"He is a good leader, I am proud of him," Paynter said of Escareno.