Freshman multisport athlete Isaiah Ocampo has already begun summer football prep.
Cathy Cook | El Defensor Chieftain

Isaiah Ocampo is a freshman football, wrestling and track athlete for the Socorro Warriors headed into his sophomore year.

What was your track season like?

It was a pretty good season overall. We got third in our class in state.

What’s your favorite of the three sports that you compete in?

Football, definitely. I just grew up with it, since I could walk, I’ve been playing football pretty much. I just really like the physical aspect of it. I like contact sports.

What’s the hardest part of that sport?

Probably being smart enough to play it. There’s a lot of stuff that goes into it. What you have to do, how you’re supposed to do it. How you have to think about everybody else’s job and how that correlates to what you have to do.

What position do you normally play?

This year I’m trying to be a backup quarterback, receiver on offense and then safety and corner on defense.

What’s it like to switch gears from track to football season prep?

It’s pretty normal. I’m used to it by now.

What got you into football?

Again, I’ve just been playing it my whole life. My dad’s legacy. It’s not just about him. I like it myself, it’s my favorite sport. I love the sport. It just clicks with me.

How did you get started in track?

My dad did track, I’ve been growing up with track. I’ve done it forever pretty much.

What would you tell younger players coming into their freshmen year?

I would say just stick with it. That’s the hardest part. The mental aspect of you’re doing a sport, you can’t really leave that sport. You’ve got to stick with it and everything will be good. That’s my best piece of advice.

What are you most looking forward to next football season?

State championship.

You think the team’s going to get there?

I hope so.

Are there any athletes you look up to locally?

Jordan Armijo. I’d say he’s one. I look up to him a lot and then just a couple more of the football players that are seniors this year and graduating.

Why Jordan?

He’s pretty important to me, we’re good friends and he’s just a really good football player.

Is there anything you want to say to your team?

Let’s go get it.

What’s the hardest part of summer training?

The heat. That kills it.

We’ve already started. We’re starting just little practices outside. When school ends, it’ll be a lot longer practices, maybe two a day over the summer. We’ve already started getting ready.

Cathy Cook | El Defensor Chieftain Editor