VIDEO: Colin FitzGerald Whizzes Past the Competition

• Whiz Kid's Name/Age: Colin FitzGerald, 11
• Whiz Kid's School: 
• Whiz Kid's Accomplishment:  FitzGerald currently holds the team record for the 3000 meter run in the 10- to 11-year-old division of the Los Angeles Falcons Track Team, a La Crescenta-based track club that competes all over the San Fernando Valley. He is less than two seconds away from breaking the current 800 and 1500 meter records set by another Falconer in 2004 and 2005.
• Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: FitzGerald has always had an innate ability to focus intently on his goals. At the same time, he doesn’t let the pressure get to him. On shaving the necessary seconds off his current times, FitzGerald says, “It’s a goal. I just really like to run. When I’m on the track, the only thing I think about is my time. I don’t like competing in the shorter races, like the 100 meter, because there’s not enough running.” His mother, Rebecca FitzGerald, adds, “When Colin was in second grade, he asked me to go to Sport Chalet and buy him some running clothes. Then he asked me to take him to the track. He announced, ‘I’m going to run a mile.’ And he did.” He hasn’t stopped since.
• Bonus Whiz Kid Info: FitzGerald has the same intensity and passion for one other sport, basketball. He excels at playing point guard on the YMCA Winners and the Crescenta Valley Falcons Youth basketball teams. “When Colin has a belief about himself, like being good at a sport,” says his mother, “he does whatever it takes to make that belief a reality.” Sounds the hallmark of a true athlete.

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