High School: Four-year letter winner in track and cross country at Indio HS… helped his cross country team to three 8-0 records and three league championships… four-time All-Desert Valley League selection… three-time league mile champion… set 5 school records, including one in the 4x400 relay… ran the 800 meters in 1:54:09 and the 1600 meters in 4:14 as a junior… was valedictorian with a 4.78 GPA.
Personal: Joel Cota was born on March 17, 1986 in Indio, CA… son of Carlos and Cynthia Cota… majoring in mechanical engineering… favorite athlete is Hicham El Guerronj… enjoys listening to Slipknot, Soulfly, and Killswitch Engage… favorite writer is Dr. Seuss… most memorable sports moment was when Hicham El Guerronj won the gold medal in the 1500m and 5000m in Athens at the 2004 Olympics… career goal is to qualify for the Olympics in the 1500m… lists his father as his biggest athletic influence.