Lake Elsinore Boys Eyeing Gold In Detroit

Cobie and Casey Chavez know what it means to push the limits. Even though they are just boys, the two brothers have set their goals very high.

Cobie, 15, and Casey, 7, competed June 15-16 at the AAU Junior Olympic Track and Field Qualifiers in San Diego. Their performances earned them each berths at the AAU Junior Olympics in Detroit Michigan in August.  

“Cobie has a good shot at winning a gold medal in the 1500 meter race,” his proud mom Libby Chavez wrote via email. He runs the 800m, 1500m, and 3000m races and earned silver and gold medals last weekend, she said.

“Casey ran the 800m and 1500m because he wants to be just like his big brother. He got a silver and a bronze medal,” Libby continued.

Not bad considering his age and it was his first race ever on a track. This fall, he will be a third-grader at Luiseno Elementary School.

Cobie is far more experienced. He will be a Temescal Canyon High School junior in the upcoming year and already he’s setting the pace. He’s listed on the National Collegiate Scouting Association website for performances on his school’s track team. He’s also started a summer running club for kids as a community service project. About 25 kids meet each Wednesday and Friday morning next to the Luiseno campus for a 2-mile run. Their goal is to run 26.2 miles in June and July.

Donal Pearce is a sports photographer who freelances for Patch in his spare time. He and his wife are runners, and 10 of their 11 children have or are running cross country. 

"Their mother and I are hooked!" Pearce said.

So what does he think about Cobie's times? Pearce went online and did some quick searches.

"His times are very good for a JV runner. He's only 15 so you never know!"

Pearce conceded his expertise is no match for the official scorekeeper.

"Moms know best!" he said.