San Salvador, El Salvador – Stony Brook University men's track & field standout
Carlos Santos Jr. made history for his country and found himself on the podium in front of the crowd of 35,000 at the Jorge "Mágico" González Stadium after capturing the bronze medal in the men's 3000m steeplechase at the San Salvador 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games for El Salvador.
"I'm beyond grateful for Coach Ronan giving me the opportunity to compete in the 24th edition of the Central American and Caribbean games. For me, it's a great place to take my family's home country to the highest place on the podium and give it a historic bronze medal in the steeplechase. It's an incredible feeling competing on the motherland in your house, home stadium, and having a full house is beyond compare. I've said it before and I'll say it again, it's a huge huge privilege to represent El Salvador. This the best achievement so far in my running career, making a whole nation shake and smile after crossing the line," Santos Jr. said about the experience at the games.
Santos Jr. finished the steeplechase race at 8:51.92 for third-place and the bronze medal. The Seawolf finished behind Ceaser Gomez representing Mexico at 8:50.68 for second-place and Carlos Sanmartin of Columbia finishing in first-place at 8:50.15 to take the victory in the 3000m steeplechase.
"Most importantly to me, no matter what the outcome was, I'm blessed to have the chance to proudly wear the blue and white of El Salvador. Winning the bronze gave me tears of joy. Being able to hug my family and gift them and many other people with a beautiful moment truly was indescribable," said Santos Jr.
This was the first time that Santos Jr. represented his country at the Central American and Caribbean Games and the fourth time that he has represented El Salvador in international competition. He competed at Junior Pan American Games, and the 2021 and 2023 Ncack Games.
"10 year old mini me and my childhood dream has finally come true. This is only the beginning of many more beautiful moments like this. I will cherish every second of July 7, 2023, in my life because on that day an American-Salvadorian who was in the shadows and invisible to a whole nation came to light, faced some of the powerhouse countries in the region to help the countries medal count and represent what our national track team had to offer," said Santos Jr. as he discussed what this meant to him and his nation.
With the performance, Santos Jr. became the first athlete in the history of Central American and Caribbean Games to earn a medal for El Salvador in the track and field and steeplechase. For Stony Brook, Santos is now the first track and field student-athlete to participate in the Central American and Caribbean Games.
El Salvador finished with 17 bronze, three silver, and eight gold medals to finish with 28 medals that secured ninth-place out of 29 countries. Mexico was victorious with 353 total medals, followed by Columbia tallying 244 medals and Cuba rounding out the top three by notching 196 medals.
"Only a handful of athletes have ever won medals in the countries history in the games, with myself capturing the first for track and field in this event. It's an incredible feeling competing on the motherland in your house, your home stadium and having a full house is beyond compare," Santos Jr. described.
This season, Santos Jr. became the first-ever individual to capture a CAA title in Stony Brook program history after taking home a first-place finish in the 5000 meter run on February 22. Also, he earned All-CAA honors in cross country by finishing the championship race at 24:31.30 with an average mile time of 4:56 at the CAA Championship on October 28 as he helped the Seawolves capture their first CAA title in department history.
"I can't be anymore thankful of my coaches, the Salvadorian Federation, the Olympic team committee, Indes and my teammates and coaches of both Stony Brook and El Salvador who never gave up on me. They are the reason I keep working and push myself the way I do. The unconditional love and support I've received from so many people throughout the years to achieve the dream of doing something big and it all came together. If there is one thing I've learned is don't fear failure, fear not having the chance," Santos Jr. said.
For more information about the San Salvador 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games, please visit
https://sansalvador2023.com/en/.
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