For those who don’t know him yet, Ganbileg Bor ’08 is what you can call a true athlete in his sport. He is a great distance runner in cross-country and considered one of the best in the state of California in track and field.

Just recently, Bor competed in the CCS (Central Coast Sectional), and through hard training and perseverance by his coach, Steve Cavanaugh, was able to beat last year’s Division III champion, Mohmed Abdullah of Willow Glen High School in San Jose.

Cavanaugh, who also teaches World History at Jefferson, shared the strategy he and Bor discussed before the meet. “I let Gabi know that if he attacked at the hills, Mohmed would be forced to counter his moves, his heart rate would then be beating faster, he would be burning more glycogen, the race would become a level playing field and Mohmed just might crack.”

“Gabi crossed the finish line in 14 minutes 56 seconds. Abdullah came in a distant second at 15 minutes 7 seconds,” Cavanaugh reported.

“In the 25 years that I have been involved in multi/single sport endurance events I can assure you that Jefferson has a rare athletic gem in Gabi,” Cavanaugh said after the win at CCS.

Victoriously humble, Bor said, “I’m not the best. I know I can get better.”

Former track coach Greg Alvarado discovered him in P.E. “I saw him running laps like a madman a whole period without tiring,” said Alvarado.

He started running cross-country. From then on, Bor has been on a roll by winning and succeeding in every race that he competes in.

On Nov. 24, Bor competed in the CIF State Championships in Fresno and although fighting through a nagging pain in his stomach and chest, still managed to finish in the top 10—he finished sixth out of a field of nearly 200 competitors.

According to the website InsideBayArea.com, “His time of 15 minutes, 43 seconds left him 23 seconds behind Abdalla and 26 seconds behind the winner, Dublin’s James Attarian.”

“I didn’t feel good. I felt pain right underneath my heart,” Bor said of the pain that began around the first mile mark and stayed with him throughout the race. “When my heart started to hurt, it was so painful. I couldn’t even push my uphills.”

Bor said his dreams are not over, however. “My dream is to one day represent my country of Mongolia and run for them in the Olympics,” he said.

This dream isn’t too farfetched as he has been honored in many ways including being named the “Athlete of The Week” by the San Francisco Chronicle in the Nov. 14 issue.

Being able to run unlike many people and with the mindset that he is good and not great, makes him a true athlete in his sport.

“Gambi is hungry for success, doesn’t blame others for when things go wrong…that’s what sets him apart from other young athletes,” said Alvarado.

Students and teachers alike are savoring the moment—having a superstar athlete walking the halls. They too, have hopes that one day, they can say they taught or had Chemistry with an Olympic gold medal winner.