Cougar To Pilot: COC Athlete Signs With University Of Portland

College of the Canyons sophomore and dual-sport athlete Sam Regez , has announced his commitment to the University of Portland to continue his academic and athletic career.

Regez’s friends, family, teammates and coaches gathered to celebrate his accomplishment during his signing ceremony as he became a University of Portland Pilot last Thursday in front of the COC Hall of Fame.

Regez first began running in his junior year at Canyon High School and now competes in both track and field plus cross country for the Cougars.

Before he made his switch to the track, Regez played baseball and basketball until he decided it was time for a change.

The choice was easy for him since running piqued his interest before and Regez knew he had the capabilities.

Additionally, he was already familiar with the Cowboys’ cross country and track head coach, George Velarde.

After he graduated from Canyon, Regez took his talents to COC, where he continued to improve his times, technique and love for the sport.

“As a sophomore, he competed as our number one athlete in both cross country and then in certain events in the distance races for track and field,” said the Cougars’ Cross Country and Track Head Coach, Lindie Kane .

Regez’s dedication to becoming a better runner was unmatched, even if taking the next step felt like chasing the end of an everlasting marathon.

“I think most people who run would second this when I say that almost every day you kind of, you know, want to stop,” Regez said. “But, at no point was I really, like, willing to quit or willing to look into other options.”

After every race and every practice, Regez began to see his future come into focus just a bit more.

“There was never really a point until last year where I thought I was going to be continuing after COC,” Regez said. “So definitely ‘sticking with it’ is something I would tell my junior self.”

Thanks to his resilience, Regez can take his place on the track once again to confront the next hurdle of his athletic career.

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