High School: was a four year letterwinner in both cross country and track and field at Antelope Valley HS... four-time All-Golden League honoree in cross country... helped his team to a first place finish in the Moore League in cross country... finished second in the state in cross country in Division II as a senior... finished 11th in the Foot Locker West Regionals in 2004... owns the school record in the two mile, the 4x400 relay and distance medley relay.
Personal: Jose Alberto Melena was born on July 12, 1987 in Panorama City, CA... parents are Alberto and Yolanda Melena... has not declared a major... hopes to become a teacher... roots for the Los Angeles Lakers... favorite athletes are Lance Armstrong, Bernard Lagat and Haile Gebrselassie... favorite author is Ralph Waldo Emerson... favorite novels are Paradise Lost and Rain of Gold... favorite musical group is AFI... enjoys writing in his spare time... favorite movies are Braveheart, Without Limits, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory... is the first member of his family to attend a four-year university and says his goal is to “show my brothers that they can be successful too.”