COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — When Bernardo Barnhart was in fourth grade, he made a discovery. Despite being a budding baseball player, his real passion was running.
“I just started running every day before school and I just enjoyed it,” Bernardo said. “I loved running.”
Bernardo made the discovery while participating in a Collier County Public Schools program called “Kids on the GO”. The initiative offers incentives for kids in grades three through five who participate in physical activities before or after school. “Kids on the GO” culminates with a one-mile race, which Bernardo participated in.
“He started running and by the third lap, he was in the top three,” Bernardo’s dad, Bernardo Sr., recalled. “I started yelling and then he wins it.”
That unexpected experience would change Bernardo’s life forever. He would go on to win county, district and regional championships. In 7th grade, he became a Junior Olympic champion.
This fall, Bernardo will continue his running career at Florida State University. But that’s not where he wants it to end.
“My dream is to go to the Olympics,” Bernardo said. “With my potential and dedication, I think I can.”
As the school year came to an end this past April, Bernardo went to another “Kids on the GO” run to encourage them in their efforts. His message: “If you really love something, stick with it and you will succeed.”
The post How an after school race changed Collier County teen’s life forever appeared first on NBC2 News.
