By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
SAND ROCK – Sand Rock cross country/track and field runner Caleb Yoder became very goal-oriented at a young age, but Yoder fell just short of one of his earliest goals as a seventh grader.
That goal was to qualify for state.
“We didn’t know I fell short until they were announcing the awards,” Yoder recalled. “We were on the brink, just hoping we were in, but I wasn’t, and that just sparked a fire in me. It’s inspired me to want to succeed. It’s where my origin is of wanting to win.”
The following year, Yoder worked even harder and did qualify for state, which in turn led him to set another goal, then another. Now, the senior holds several school records in cross country and track.
In cross country, Yoder holds the 5K school record and is third all time in Class 2A following a time of 15:48. He also holds the 2.1 mile school record and the 2-mile school record (10:17).
In track, Yoder is the school record holder in the 800 meter (1:58.18), 1600 meter (4:33.55), the 3200 meter (9:51.41), the 2-mile (9:29, also second all time for 2A), and the 4×800 (8:18).
Yoder also made history by running in last summer’s North-South Cross Country event, and back in November, he won the Class 1A-2A boys 5K state championship with a time of 16:08.92.
There’s another goal Yoder wanted to reach, and that was to run in college. On Friday afternoon, he checked that off his list by signing a scholarship with Auburn University of Montgomery.
“I would’ve never expected to perform at this level,” Yoder said. “I’ve failed a bunch, but each of those failures has allowed me to grow, add motivation to be better, and to learn these lessons now instead of later. I’ve been blessed to experience any of this and I’m grateful for all of it.
“It’s a weird feeling knowing that my high school chapter is ending, that I’m never going to race a 5K again, but I’m excited to be able to do something new, run at different places, race different guys. The competition is going to be on a completely different level, but I think I’m ready for it. I’m just excited to be able to experience it.”
Yoder won’t be experiencing running at AUM alone. His older brother, Austin Yoder, will be joining him after he transferred from Northeast Community College in Rainsville.
Yet another box Yoder can check off his goal list.
“Being able to run with him in college was a dream of mine, but I didn’t know if we were going to be able to do it,” he said. “It turned out we’re both able to run there. I loved him as a training partner and I loved him as a teammate. I’m excited to be able to experience college with him as well.”
Austin and Caleb’s father and head coach at Sand Rock Mark Yoder is proud to have two of his sons running at the same school. He said Caleb’s success can be traced to the athletes that have surrounded him throughout his varsity career.
“When he was younger, he was surrounded with some good athletes, with his brother Austin Yoder, Ben Dale, Ben Bruce, Jack Noah Watson. We had a group when he was a younger kid that believed in him and motivated him. It helped him stay focused,” Coach Yoder said.
“I’m pumped he’s able to go and run at the next level. I think (AUM) Coach (Ryan) Thompson will be there for a while, and I like that part of it, that he’s got the stability of a program that’s going to have a constant coach not going in and out. I’m excited for him. I think it’s going to be a good spot for him to run.”
And a good spot for more goals to be set and conquered by Yoder.