High School: Four-year letter winner in cross country at Orange HS under coaches David and Don Barnette… Golden West League Champions and CIF-Southern Section runner-up in 2002 and 2003… Individual Century League champ in 2001… All-Golden West League selection in 2002 and 2003… Golden West League MVP in 2003… All-CIF-SS selection in 2003… Golden West League Athlete of the Year 2004.
Personal: Raul N. Lara was born on July 14, 1986 in Mexico City, Mexico… son of Raul and Maria Lara… majoring in neuroscience… roots for the Dallas Cowboys, the Anaheim Angels and the Lakers… favorite athlete is Paula Radcliffe… favorite writers are Nicolas Sparks and John Irving… enjoys eating burritos and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches… favorite TV shows include Family Guy and the Simpsons… favorite band is Dashboard Confessional… hobbies include surfing, reading, and meeting new people… calls his parents his biggest athletic influences.