EDINBURG – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley senior Jose Juan Wells can thank his love for martial arts for the reason he competes in cross country and track & field.
 
"The way I found out I was good at running was during black belt testing," Wells said. "One of the tests was a six-mile run and that is when people found out I was good at running. I out performed everyone on that particular test."
 
Wells practiced martial arts for four years leading into high school and even earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Many told Wells that he should give running a try in high school and it was then that he decided to turn his focus from martial arts to running.
 
When he got to high school, his coach, Jim Bostwick, helped him get better. Wells heard good things about his coach and how he helped others to go on and become coaches, so he trusted Bostwick.
 
One of the things that Wells took away from his coach was that needs to remain tough.
 
"The one thing he taught me was to stay tough," Wells said. "That was always one of his mottos."
 
Wells also got motivation from other people, even when they might not have known they were inspiring him. One of his teammates sort of set the standard for Wells and from then on, it pushed him to be better.
 
"One of my role models was my high school teammate, Daniel Jaimes," Wells said. "He inspired me a lot, ever since I was a freshman in high school. He was a really good and strong runner but on the side he was working to support his family. That really inspired me. It showed that he was an amazing and strong person and I pushed to be like that."
 
Looking back at his time at Mingus Union High School, one of the first things that comes to his mind was that time he and his team won the 4x800 meter relay at the state meet.
 
"It was a crazy moment for us," Wells said. "We were never expected to perform that good, especially when there was plenty of talented people also competing in that event."
 
From high school, Wells was recruited to run at Central Arizona College. Wells quickly came to the realization that he was going to have to up his game.
 
"I learned that there are people who are way faster than you," Wells said. "I had to learn how to step it up. I also learned how to adapt to new conditions and step outside of my comfort zone and actually grow up."
 
Wells contributed right away at Central Arizona College as he helped his cross country team to NJCAA Cross Country National Championships both of his seasons there. Being able to be a part of those teams is something Wells will never forget.
 
After his two seasons at Central Arizona College, Wells was trying to find a school where he can continue his education and his cross country career. He contacted many schools and coaches but it was Vaqueros assistant coach Rob Hansen that reached out to him and got him to come to UTRGV.
 
"It was hard because I was trying to contact a lot of coaches," Wells said. "I got a call from coach Hansen out of nowhere. He asked if I was interested in his school and I said I would give it a try. I kept asking questions about the school to find out more."
 
He spent his first season in the final year of the University of Texas-Pan American and he has noticed how much different the school looks now and how much it is growing.
 
In his first season, Wells led the men's cross country team as he finished 14^th in the Western Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships. He also competed for the track & field teams in the spring.
 
One of the things he has grown to love about his time here at UTRGV is the selflessness of his team. He likes the fact that it is not about the individual but how the team comes first.
 
"One thing that sticks out to me is how it's all about the team," Wells said. "We have united and collaborated. Here in the Division I level we need to have individuals who want to do something, who want to make a difference and want to make the team stronger. That is what I like about the team, they want to put unity and respect first."
 
Wells hasn't disappointed in his second season with the program. He recently earned WAC Runner of the Week after finishing in third at the UIW Invitational. He also had a good showing at the Crimson Classic after finishing in 66^th out of 218 total runners.
 
With the cross country season almost over and track season coming up, Wells continues to want to get better for the team.
 
"I really want to help put the team out there," Wells said. "As a whole, I want the team to leave a mark. I want to tell the other schools that we are coming. I want to help send the message that we are stepping up."
 
Wells is currently majoring in criminal justice and would like to join the Border Patrol once he graduates. Wells hopes to one day be a member of the Border Patrol Tactical Unit, also known as BORTAC.
 
"After I graduate I really am going to push to try and get employed as a Border Patrol agent," Wells said. "I want to be a part of their elite unit, BORTAC. They focus on stopping terrorism."
 
Wells knows that it's almost time to get out there and join the work force. Some people are not ready for that kind of jump but Wells is excited and ready.
 
"I am ready for graduation," Wells laughed. "I want to get right into the employment world right away."

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