Isaih Fuel rounds the final bend at the Sun Angel Classic. Arizona Milesplit Photo.
Isaih Fuel has been selected on the boy athlete of the week for running a then division leading time in the 800m and decisively winning the Sun Angel Classic.
Being a coach's kid can be daunting. You run, eat, sleep, and drink track. You live the sport. For some people this isn't a good arrangement. For others this is a good arrangement. For Isaih Fuel from Independence High School the arrangement works well. “My mom is my coach, she really helps push my hard." Isaih can also push himself hard though.
After running near the front of the pack for most of the race, a late charge enabled Isaih to secure victory at the Sun Angel Classic. “I knew I had to chase them down," he explained afterwards about his kick.. Not only was this good for the best prep time at the meet, but at the time it was a division leading 800m [Editor's note: Simon Paige from Prescott broke the time later in the afternoon]. After all the results came in this weekend, his time puts him within a second of Simon Paige and Ryan Lanley. With all three time being ahead of what anyone in division 1 has posted, expect the division 2 state race to be a real barn burner this year. Isaih has his eyes on the prize though. After the race he explained, “I am happy, but I will be happier when I win state."
His motivation is more than just the individual glory of winning state, “I really want to make my mom proud," he added. In her day his mom was a collegiate 400m and 800m runner. Additionally his dad was a low hurdler. With the influence of his parents he started track in 7th grade, but mentioned it wasn't full invested at first. “I really started to get serious my sophomore or junior season." Now he is all business, winning races and posting competitive times. Isiah hopes that track isn't just a high school endeavor. When I asked him about his goals he emphatically stated, “I want to make the 2020 Olympic team." One couldn't question the resolve in his voice.