Huskies Runner Looks to Run Right to the Bruins of Westwood

by Stephen Morales (@grecomeco23)

East Los Angeles College sophomore Track runner Daniel Morales recently had a fundamental choice to make. He could have accepted one of two scholarship offers at either Loyola Marymount University or Azusa Pacific University. Or, he could have followed his heart and essentially bet on himself.

Daniel chose the latter: to chase his dream by looking to join the track team at UCLA as a walk-on starting next season.

The runner from Bravo Medical Magnet High School was in his second season competing for ELAC when the season was shutdown due to COVID-19. Despite the season's premature ending, Morales knows he will look back at his time as a Husky with fond memories:

"What I'll remember about my time ELAC is the interactions I had with my professors, peers, coaches, and teammates. I've had many great professors who have supported me and prepared me to transfer this fall. I'll remember working hard at practice with my teammates who shared the goal of competing at the state championship, as well as the many lessons I learned from my coaches and teammates. The team made the experience so worthwhile, which is why I'm glad to be a Husky."

As excited as Morales was about competing at ELAC, he is equally excited about what the future holds – or in his case, the opportunity of pursuing his desired future. Some may think of it as a bold decision to turn down a scholarship offer to pursue an opportunity to walk-on (try out) at another school. But the Bravo Med product is confident in his choice, and he explains why:

"Competing at UCLA is my dream because I want to better my performance and compete at the highest level. Covid-19 put an abrupt end to the season for which my teammates and I made great improvements in just at the start of pre-season. I want to continue my running career and have the chance to complete another fun and challenging season. Living on campus, I'll be able to train and complete my studies in a more comfortable and easier to control environment, which I believe will be a great help in making the next jump in my performance."

ELAC Athletics and the ELAC Community wishes Mr. Morales the best of luck on the next stop of his athletic and academic journey. As the saying goes "Husky for life!"