Derek Salmon is a Junior at Arlington High School. He is known for his competitive spirit when it comes to running, his academic excellence, and his fun joking personality. Derek Salmon competes in cross-country during the fall season, and runs the 800, 1600 and 4×4 during outdoor Track season.
“I came about my love for running and competing when I started cross country in middle school, and I decided to come out for track the following spring. I really enjoyed both of those, so I did it again, eighth grade and I found love in it,” Salmon said.
Derek enjoys the community that Cross Country has given him. Pushing through the pain of long runs, after practice meals and joking around before coaches come is what he believes have brought them together.
Derek’s community pushes beyond his teammates as well. Derek’s parents Scott Salmon and Dara Salmon, are some of his biggest supporters. Always showing up to his races and meets, Derek always feels and hears their presence.
“My family and friends have contributed to my life by being there for me when I need it. My parents love coming to my meetings and watching me and supporting me, and I can always hear them when I’m running because my dad’s always the loudest person there,” Salmon said.
Derek is also very academically focused, with being in various AP classes his Junior year and a schedule full of college in the high school his sophomore year, Derek maintaining As and Bs is in hopes to continue his running career outside of Arlington.
“I got my first letter from a college, Linfield University in Oregon, after cross country. And it felt like I was finally getting my hard work noticed and shown. I hope to run in a high level college anywhere in the US. I hope to be able to compete in the NCAA and make it to nationals and win,” Salmon said.
The High Light of Derek’s Cross Country seasons and Track seasons is the running of the 4×4. With the fluctuating team of Derek, Chet Thompson, Linkin Currie, Josh Nguyen, and Sean Mariorenzi. The atmosphere around him and hype from teammates is what carries him through the finish line.
“Then I get 100 meters in and everyone’s running across the field and they’re cheering me on. It’s a great atmosphere because then the last 100 meters you’re feeling it in your legs and they’re all heavy. You’re just trying to get through and everyone’s yelling and it’s like it’s pretty cool,” Salmon said.
