Luis Peralta with Coach Rivera making the Oregon “O”.

By Jorge Rosemond

PHS senior Luis Peralta, when he leaves us this June, hopes to make us proud. After he hangs up his blue and red Indians uniform for the yellow and green of the University of Oregon Ducks. The Ducks are known for being a constant contender for the NCAA Championship, so when they came looking at PHS for the best. Luis’s journey cross-country is due to his amazing skills and talents on the track. He is that fast.

Not only is he going to one of the best schools, known for track, but he is going on a scholarship. “When I went there, I just knew that Oregon was the place for me,” said Peralta. “I just got a chance to bond with the guys who are going to by my teammates and everyone was friendly,” he added, “I didn’t know how they would treat me being Dominican, but they were great!”

This year he won the 800 meter at the NJSIAA State Meet of Champions and holds the record for that event.

He recently returned to his childhood home of Dominican Republic to compete there. He won the Dominican National Championship in the 800m with a time of 1:50.62. At the Olimpico Juan Pablo Duarte in Santo Domingo, he scored the fastest high school time this season. Luis hopes to be able to compete in the Olympics one day. “That would be so cool to represent in the Olympics,” he said.

Maybe the best thing about Luis is that no one would know about how fast he really is, he goes about being a student, going to class (sometimes even late – sorry) and getting his education while perfecting and practicing his sport. Now Luis Peralta is concentrating on his sport, being as fast as he can, and finishing school. “I just want to graduate and go to college and run,” he said about his goals for the near future. One thing is certain, that he will make PHS proud as he becomes an Indian Duck.

Peralta competing at Milrose.