Daniella Trujillo is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Centennial High School for AzPreps365.com

One of Centennial High School’s senior captains, Isaiah Fastrup, has overcome a lot to be where he is today.

Fastrup, who has been on the cross-country team since his freshman year, said his love for cross-country started in elementary school.

“I used to play soccer competitively for a club team and then in eighth grade, my friend, Carly, who is actually a senior on the girl's cross-country team now, … invited me and a couple of our other friends to run cross-country and we all decided to join,” Fastrup said. “I turned out to be pretty good and was making the top 20 each race and for my first year, I really enjoyed it.”

But a leg injury sidelined him for his freshmen year running cross-country.

After recovering from the broken leg, Fastrup came back his sophomore year, recording his personal best at the PUSD Cross country Champions in the 5,000 meters at 16 minutes, 26 seconds.

One lesson he said he has learned since recovering? Perseverance.

“There will be times of injury, recovery, and even failure to meet standards you set for yourself, despite being more fit than ever,” Fastrup said. “But we need to continue to persevere. Not acting like a victim of hard circumstances, having perseverance is one of the largest ways I have grown in running and in everyday life.”

While he is not committed to a college, he is looking at The Master’s University in Santa Clarita, California.

Boy's cross-country coach Mike White noted Fastrup and Tristen Coyle as senior captains.

“I started coaching these guys their junior year, so they came in with a strong base, they have natural leadership qualities,” White said. “Tristen is the most outspoken leader on the team. He brings a powerful dynamic. He is really encouraging everyone to come and takes the leadership role, while Isiah is more of the quiet leader, encouraging the kids from behind the scenes. But they are both very strong leaders.”

Coyle said he and Fastrup “give 100 percent every day.”

“I’m kinda’ the goofy one that makes jokes when I probably shouldn’t,” Coyle said. “And he is the more serious one that keeps me in check. But we both make sure we lift the team heads up and enjoy the experience.”

Fastrup said his faith pushes him to do better personally and as a captain.

"What pushes me to do better is Jesus Christ,” Fastrup said. “I am way different than I used to be. I had a hard time in seventh and eighth grade, but Christ brought me out of that, and because of my faith, I can look to him and no matter how I do I know I have nothing to worry about.”

As this is his last year, Fastrup wants to be remembered as doing his best no matter what, but most importantly, for being a good friend.

“Not being a perfect friend, but being a good friend to my teammates and the people around me,” he said.

Stay tuned for another story about senior captain Coyle and how his family has impacted him and pushes him to reach his dream to continue to run in college.