While some folks just want to stick close to San Diego over the summertime and chill out, others are more than happy to hop on a plane and head for adventure. That adventure is even sweetened a bit when you know you will be participating in the Summer Olympics.
For one Mission Bay High grad, that is exactly his plan this summer.
Charles Jock, 26, recently qualified for the U.S. Olympic team in the 800 meters (three spots are available), sending him to Rio de Janeiro in a few weeks for the 2016 Games (Aug. 5-21). His third-place finish (1:45.48) recently at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore. guaranteed him a spot on the U.S. squad.
Jock’s story is not one of a typical kid growing up in San Diego. In fact, he was born and raised halfway around the world.
Born as a refugee in Ethiopia, and then raised in numerous camps in parts of Africa, Jock’s family ultimately decided that there was a better life out there for him and their other eight kids.
Once settled in the U.S., and then attending Mission Bay High, Jock would go on to play basketball and run track. Little did he know at the time that the latter sport would one day send him to South America to represent his country, even though he ended up switching from the high jump to the 800 while a member of the Buccaneers.
That trip, however, would not be an easy one to say the least, including his upbringing in Africa.
Jock, who would go on to UC Irvine following his education in San Diego, has had his share of injuries in recent years, injuries that could have derailed many men (and women for that matter) in pursuing their Olympic dreams.
That said, Jock, a member of the Oregon Track Club, was determined to be one of those athletes overcoming setbacks.
Jock, who had to turn in performances good enough to propel him to the finals in Eugene, did well enough in both the preliminaries and semifinals to have his shot in the finals for a trip south.
Having now secured that spot; Jock is an individual who continues to show people (especially his countrymen) that you can never count him out.