For Union Mine High School senior Patrick Pinjuv, committing fully to running meant making a difficult choice. After playing football through his sophomore year, he stepped away from the sport to focus on the track. What followed was a junior season that changed his future.
In his first full year dedicated to running, Pinjuv broke three school records, reached the CIF State Championships in the 800 meters and committed to compete in Division I track and field at Cal Poly, a school he had dreamed of attending.
The Class of 2027 middle-distance runner has posted times of 1:52 in the 800 meters and 49 seconds in the 400 meters. Those performances reflect the combination of speed and endurance he continues to develop as he prepares for his final high school season.
Pinjuv says he enters his senior year as a top-10 returning 800-meter runner in California. For an athlete whose breakthrough came after choosing to focus on one sport, that standing gives him an opportunity to build on a remarkable junior campaign.
The decision to leave football was not easy, but Pinjuv committed to seeing how far running could take him. Within one season, that commitment produced school records, a trip to the state meet and a path to college competition.
Now, his attention turns to what comes next. Pinjuv wants to return to the state championships and make a statement against California’s best. Beyond high school, he hopes to compete at a high level in the NCAA while continuing his development at Cal Poly.
With his college destination secured, Pinjuv still has unfinished goals at Union Mine. His senior season offers another chance to lower his times, build on his breakthrough and close his high school career with a stronger performance on the state stage.
