Daniel Guerrero was a dedicated sprinter his four years at Central Falls. He was part of the school’s first place 4x100-meter relay squad at the Northern Division Championship this past spring. Guerrero was introduced to running in eighth grade through head coach Ernest Fennell’s popular FAST TRACK program. In June, he became the first FAST TRACK athlete to graduate high school and move on to college. He will be attending the University of Rhode Island this fall where he will major in pharmacy.
What would you consider the highlight or your high school career?
I would say that the highlight of my high school career was when our team won runner-up for the Northern Division Championship. It was the closest 
we have ever gotten to a Northern Division Championship in our high school’s history. It was great to see that all our hard work had paid off and although we did not win first place we still felt that we had succeeded.
What was your most memorable performance?
My most memorable performance was during my senior year on the outdoor track and field team when my 4x100 meter relay won first place at the Northern Division Championships. I did not know how well we were going to do because we had lost most of the runners from the previous relay team that had qualified for the state meet, which I was also a part of. The runners that we lost were Lionel Salinas, Chayanne Escalera, and Tyshon Ashe. I was proud that our relay team won first place with the new talented runners Freddy Monteiro, Erico Nobre, and Luis Gracia.
What was your most difficult obstacle to overcome?
The most difficult obstacle I had to overcome was my running injury that I received during my sophomore year. I had inflated muscles in my legs and it was so severe that I was unable to run outdoor track that year. I also had to undergo physical therapy two to three times a week. Fortunately I was able to return to running track the following season but had to be more cautious as to what I was doing.
What advice would you give younger athletes?
The advice I would give to younger athletes is that running track is all about effort and determination. Your success will greatly depend on how much effort you put into your training and how much determination you have during a race. There are times when all runners feel like quitting but you will find that your greatest achievements will happen when you overcome that feeling and keep pushing forward.
What will you miss most?
I will miss my team most of all. Through track I have made some of my best friends. It was great pushing one another, helping each other, cheering for each other, or just simply sharing some laughs. These are the memories that I will never forget and will remind me of why we were not just a great team but an incredible family.
What are your future plans?
I am going to attend the University of Rhode lsland as a part of the six-year pharmacy program this coming fall.
What influence has your coach (or coaches) had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
My coaches have had a great influence on me, both as an athlete and a person. I had a lot of support from coaches Brendan Lamboy, Ernest Fennell, Ernest Fennell II, Richard McPhillips, and Luis Rodgriguez. They were always there for me and my teammates and showed me just how big of an influence a few coaches can have on a new generation. They showed me the value of responsibility when I was chosen as one of the captains of the team during my junior year. They were great role models since they not only saw but brought out the potential in all of us.
Who would you like to say Thank You?
I would like to say thank you to all the teammates that I’ve had all the way from the time when I was in the FAST TRACK program in the 8th grade to my senior year as a part of the high school team. You became some of my best friends on and off the track and I know that will not change just because I have graduated. I also want to say thank you to all the Central Falls Track and Field coaches. You were always determined to help all of us whenever we needed you and showed nothing but dedication to the team. You are some of my greatest role models. I would especially like to thank coach Ernest Fennell for getting me involved in track and field when he began his FAST TRACK program in 2009. I would also want to thank my family. Mom and dad, thank you for everything that you have done for me to get me to where I am today. I could not ask for better parents to put me on the right path like you did. To my brother and sister, Jessica and Kevin, I would like to say thank you for always supporting me in both academics and athletics.