El Paso Olympic hopeful seeks spot on U.S. track team

EL PASO, Texas -- An El Pasoan is set to run in the Olympic trials.

Brian Barraza, a Franklin High School graduate, will race for a spot on the United States Olympic Steeplechase team.

Growing up in El Paso, Barraza began his track career as a sprinter with the Pacesetters when he was just 7-years old.

He went on to run at Brown/Hornedo Middle School and then Franklin High.

Barraza attended the University of Houston, where he starred on their collegiate track team.

“It’s unreal because its something I’ve been looking forward to since I was 7-years old,” Barraza told ABC-7.

Though qualifying for the Olympic trials is a huge accomplishment, Barraza sees it as a step along his journey.

"Qualifying for the trials is the minimum," the Olympic hopeful said.

The trials are scheduled for June 21 in Eugene, Oregon