Leo Hernandez has been coaching cross-country and track and field at Monroe High School in North Hills, California, since 1999. Many of the student athletes come from low socio-economic environments and despite the very high transiency rate of 45% and the disadvantages of coming from a low socio-economic background, through Leo Hernandez’s coaching philosophy learned from running at Hueneme High School, Cal State Northridge and mentor Dean Balzarett, the Monroe cross-country team has had a lot of success. Since 1992, the Monroe High School boys' Varsity cross-country teams have only lost to North Hollywood by one point in 1996, tied to North Hollywood in 2012 and tied to Sun Valley Poly in 2013. Leo Hernandez resides in Canyon Country with his wife Isabel Xochitl Hernandez, who is an Elementary teacher, and daughters Xochitl and Itzel Hernandez, who also run for the Monroe girls cross-country team.
The 5th Lap
Breaking Barriers to Become Successful
by Leo Hernandez
The 5th Lap
Breaking Barriers to Become Successful
by Leo Hernandez
Published Nov 23, 2016
132 Pages
Genre: SPORTS & RECREATION / Track & Field
Book Details
Determination, Dedication and Consistency Will Help You Achieve Any Goals You Set
The 5th Lap is about breaking barriers to achieve short term and long term goals. This could apply to everyday life. Manuel Ruiz, against all odds achieved the ultimate American Dream. He came to this country without knowing the language and lived at the time in the gang-infested streets of North Hills only with his older brother. His parents lived in Mexico City. Manuel Ruiz enrolled in High School as a 17-year-old. He graduated high school within three years with a 4.0 grade point average and also became the 7th best High School runner in the country when he ran 8 minutes 55 seconds for two miles at the Arcadia track and field invitational in April, 2003. He achieved this by also having to work to support himself to eat and pay rent. He ran for Cal State Northridge on a full athletic scholarship where in 2007 he graduated with Honors. Manuel Ruiz, with his strong work ethic, dedication, consistency and determination was able to run his 8 minutes and 55 seconds in the two-mile by breaking the 5th lap barrier. I always told him the 5th lap was the key in running a two-mile very well. The 5th lap wasn’t the only barrier he broke to achieve the ultimate American dream.