OCEANSIDE – It's hard to imagine him doing anything of the sort, but A.J. Acosta is taking things slow.

The 2006 El Camino High graduate and former high school national champion in cross country and the 1,500 meters redshirted his freshman year at the University of Oregon, opting not to run in the fall season last year.

“I wasn't ready to compete with the big boys,” Acosta said. “Even now, with a year training, I'm still having trouble transitioning to the distance.”

“Trouble” would be a relative term for a star runner such as Acosta, 19. He has competed in two meets this season for the top-ranked Ducks, finishing 26th in an 8K (24 minutes, .01 seconds) and sixth in a four-mile (19:43) race.

The decision not to race his freshman year was one Acosta and his coach Vin Lananna made together, and both believe it was for the best.

“He was interested in being part of building something special,” Lananna said. “When we recruit, we need kids to understand that. We decided not to race him last year to give him a chance to physically and emotionally mature.”

The emphasis for Acosta might have been more on the physical. Learning how to transition from a 5K race to 8 to 10K races doesn't happen overnight.

“The biggest difference is mentally being able to focus,” Acosta said. “Being a miler in high school, this is five to six times longer. You can push through the pain (in a one-mile race). Running 10K, you're running for 20 to 30 minutes, the pain is much more drawn out.”

The pain seems worth it. For the past few weeks, the Ducks have been ranked No. 1 in the coaches poll and are one of the best Oregon teams in recent history.

“There are several things that make A.J. a good runner,” Lananna said. “He has good, strong physical attributes. Emotionally, he's a good competitor. He has a passion for the sport.”

“Even if we weren't ranked No. 1 it would have been the right choice for me,” Acosta said of his decision to go north. “Just being able to train with guys like this, it's icing on the cake.”

Acosta still travels home to Oceanside two or three times a year but rents a house with some other teammates in Oregon.

“Now that I've been training, it's more feasible to stay up here,” he said.

The current goal is to make it to NCAA Nationals in Terre Haute, Ind. But even for a talented runner such as Acosta, being part of the seven-man squad isn't a given.

“At a Division I school there's not as many opportunities to prove yourself,” he said. “Being at the University of Oregon, if you have an off day, there's 10 other guys who can do it. You constantly have to be working.”

Even so, it's not Acosta's style to be in the top seven far back in the pack.

“I'm not running for a spot in the top seven, I'm running for a spot in the top three,” he said. “I don't think you should just try and be in the top seven, because then you're not trying your hardest.”

Even though he sat out cross country last season, Acosta did race for the Ducks' track and field team earlier this year. He closed the season by defending his USA Junior Championships 1,500-meter title, finishing in a personal best 3:49.54. In July, Acosta finished second (3:56.64) in the Pan American Junior Championships in Brazil, only .01 seconds behind Oregon teammate Matthew Centrowicz.

With his success at the high school and collegiate level well documented, Acosta's next goal is the Olympic Trials for next year's Summer Olympics, albeit with some caution.

“I don't think I have a good chance of making the Olympic team, but my goal is to make it to the trials,” Acosta said.

Does he have any regrets with the way things have worked out for him?

“I definitely don't regret anything,” he said. “Everything has worked out real well for me. My only advice is go out there and give your best. If you do, there's nothing to be upset about.”

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