University of La Verne runner to get her wish

Each week the Sun and Daily Bulletin newspapers run student-athlete profiles as part of a Tuesday local colleges packages. It's a fun Q & A with one girl and one boy recommended by their coaches or athletic directors. Last Tuesday the girl feature was cross country standout Micaela Castillo of University of La Verne.

On the question "Person you would most like to meet" she listed Louis Zamperini, a former American distance runner and WW2 Prisoner of War survivor. That's the nice thing about athletes from the SCIAC schools. There is usually some depth to their answers.

So I come into the office on Thursday and have a message from Steve Wallace, a marketing rep for the Plane of Fame Museum in Chino. Turns out Zamperini is going to be a guest speaker at a fund-rasier the group is having on Saturday in Chino. Wallace talked to Zamperini and told him about Castillo and he was willing to spend some time with her.

So after a few phone calls the meet and greet has been set up for an hour before the event on Saturday. I'm sure it will go well. Zamperini has to be flattered that a young athlete know hims and wants to meet him and Castillo has to be thrilled with the opportunity.

I like to think we helped!