Dominic Vogl is not a stranger to success, nor is the high school he helped lead to a championship in 2003.

The sophomore runner led the Junipero Serra High School cross country team in San Mateo, to a Division I Central Coast Section title, while also taking home the individual title in his final year.

Major League Baseball home run record breaker Barry Bonds and three-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Tom Brady also excelled at Junipero Serra and are apart of the hall of fame at the school along with other sport greats: Lynn Swann, Gregg Jeffries and Jim Fregosi.

These days Vogl is trying his best to translate the same success he enjoyed at Junipero Serra over to Sacramento State.

“I am always looking to improve myself and the team,” Vogl said.

Vogl has some goals for his time with Sac State, and one is to make the team more well known.

“One of my big goals is to make our competitors in the Big Sky know we’re here,” Vogl said. “I want to let them know Sac State is going to be a big challenge for them.”

Vogl has been a consistent force thus far for a young men’s cross country team. He has been the Hornets top finisher in each of the three races the team has competed in.

“Dominic has a physical presence as the front runner,” Director of Track/Cross Country Kathleen Raske said. “Being a leader, he helps bring the team with him. That is huge.”

Head coach Rodney Rothoff also sees leadership qualities in the promising young runner.

“Dominic is a silent leader, he leads by effort and example,” Rothoff said. “His work ethic and mental toughness set him apart.”

“Mental toughness is part of it,” Vogl said. “Just wanting it more and being able to push yourself to the next level.”

Vogl spent his summer training hard for this season and one part of that training included competing at the 2005 USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Carson, Calif. Vogl finished 13th in the men’s 3000 meter steeplechase race.

“I see him developing into a national caliber distance runner and steeplechaser,” Raske said.

Rothoff also sees a bright future for Vogl for the rest of the 2005 season and the future seasons to come.

“He has the desire to be successful.” Rothoff said. “He has some huge upside. He can definitely be a solid performer in the future and help us in our success.”

Vogl set a personal record in his last race at the Stanford Invitational. He shed 60 seconds off his time there from last season.

“It was the best I’ve ran,” Vogl said.

Raske sees an overall improvement in Vogl from his freshman season.

“There absolutely is a difference in him this year compared to last year,” Raske said. “He is more physically mature and he has more experience.”

Vogl said he notices too that he has gained a lot more experience from last season.

“I know the sport a year’s worth better,” Vogl said. “I know more tactics and use them better.”

Vogl has been running track since he was in the sixth grade and noticed his natural ability to run well at extended lengths.

“The further and kinda faster I go, I get better, while others might stay the same,” Vogl said. “I have more endurance.”

Raske also sees something in Vogl that others might not possess.

“Dominic is not afraid to train and put in the work,” Raske said. “He has talent and works every ounce of it.”

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Matt Vevoda can be reached at [email protected]