Runner chases goals
Jose Macias leaves Portland State for Clackamas
STORY AND PHOTOS BY LILY SHAVER
On Oct. 30, Jose M acias finished
the NWAC Southern Region cross
country championships in 15th place,
running the 8k race with a time of
26:32.
At the start of the fall term, Macias
transferred from Portland State
University to Clackamas Community
College.
“ I think he brings a little bit of
maturity [to the team]*’ said CCC’ s
new cross country coach, Jonathan
Marcus. Macias and Marcus have
a close relationship. Marcus also
came from PSU in August o f this
year. Macias felt compelled to follow
Marcus to CCC.
" Honestly, after that one year at
Portland State, I just couldn’t leave
him ,” said Macias. “ I mean, I feel like
he’s trusted me and he was really the
only coach who gave me a chance at
the divisional level.”
4 Clackamas Print NOVEMBER 11,2015 theclackamasprint.com
Marcus said, “ He knows me well. door to a lot of education stuff. And
I know him well. I think that loyalty just seeing that from her just inspired
and just that fam iliarity was key. m e,” said Macias.
It’s not so much the X ’s and O’s. It’s
Both of Macias’ parents did not
about caring for people and that’ s finish middle school and so they are
ultimately why I coach.”
very proud of Macias and his sister,
Morris, who have both graduated
from Hermiston High School and
went on to college.
In high school, Macias and Morris
participated in cross country; Jake
Puzey was their coach.
“ Jose is the embodiment of the
Am erican dream for the Macias
family,” said Puzey. “ Running opened
up opportunities to Jose to further his
education.”
Macias’ parents taught themselves
English and worked in fields. They
Macias’ parents came from Mexico. went on to work in distribution
He has four siblings and his older centers.
sister, Jennifer Macias Morris, has
“ On the weekends, they work at
the flea market and sell blankets and
inspired his running.
“Just seeing my older sister get the from the time Jose was a little boy,
opportunity to go to college and get that was what he did on weekends,”
college paid for [was an inspiration to said Puzey. “ His fam ily doesn’ t
me]. She was the first in my family to believe in rest.”
graduate from high school and college
“ H erm iston ’ s first big [cross
and running has really opened the country] title was won by Hispanic
“ Honestly, after
that one year at
Portland State,
I Just couldn’t
leave him.”
Jose Matias
kids and Jose was one of th e m ,”
said Puzey. “ It made a statement to
our town, that wasn’t necessarily
w elcom ing to that [H ispanic]
population.”
“Jose Is the
embodiment of
the American
dream for the
Macias family.”
Jake Puzey
Morris said she is proud of her
brother.
“ Now, four of us have graduated
high school and the youngest is going
to step on the podium this June,” said
Morris in an email.
‘I’m thrilled to see where running
will take Jose. He’s accomplished a
lot already and I believe he has a lot
left.” said Morris.