Homeschooler Rocco Rowell soaking up the moments competing in sports

Pueblo East senior Rocco Rowell has a not-so-traditional background story of how he ended up on the school track team.

Rowell is homeschooled but plays sports for the Pueblo East Eagles as well as the co-op hockey team at Pueblo County.

“I love hockey ... it's just ingrained to me,” Rowell said. “I love playing hockey and I will probably play it all my life, but there's something about playing and running in Dutch Clark with all the fans, in front of thousands of people — it's just a blast.”

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Rowell started out playing football for East, but it wasn't long before head football and track coach Tony Valdez was able to convince him to join the spring team.

“My first year (playing football) was last year, I started when I was a junior and coach Valdez did a great job at recruiting me, telling me I should come out and run track,” Rowell recalled. “I was lucky enough to be part of the (4x100 and 4x200 relay team) that went to state last year and it was a blast. I wouldn't change it for the world.”

Rowell doesn’t have the normal day-to-day interactions or lifestyle of the average high school student. Because of that, he relishes every moment he gets with his team, whether on the football field, the track or the ice rink.

“Being a part of the team ... coming out and supporting your teammates while they run, it's like being a part of the family,” Rowell said. “There's nothing like East track and field, it's just a blast. Everybody loves to come in and work out every day and the meets are just as fun.”

But things weren't always fun and games for Rowell. When he first joined the Eagles program there was an adjustment period as he tried to get to know several new names and faces.

“It's tough because a lot of people don't respect (homeschooling) and many people think it's weird,” Rowell said. “When you come in, it's kind of hard to make new friends, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. It's a great experience for me. I've been able to travel all over the country because of (being homeschooled) and I've been able to do all the sports and succeeded in all the sports as if I went to a 'regular' high school.”

Sports have not always been easy on Rowell, either. At one point he was ready to quit football and was leaning toward giving up sports altogether. But thanks to his family and coaches, Rowell stuck with it and eventually earned a starting role on the football team in his senior year.

The oldest of nine siblings, Rowell is looking to leave a lasting impression on his younger siblings as he continues to grow himself.

“I'm the one that sets the example and hopefully they all start running track and field and playing football and all that," Rowell said. "Another thing is, it doesn't matter if you like them (your opponent) or not, be nice to them, respect them, and when you get on the ice or on the field, settle it with your play.”

Rowell wants to make the most of his final season in track before heading to college in Texas. He plans to earn his degree in criminology and possibly continue playing sports while attending Southwestern Assemblies of God University. He hopes to one day work in law enforcement and be a member of a SWAT team.

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Christopher Abdelmalek is a sports reporter for the Pueblo Chieftain and can be reached at cabdelmalek@gannett.com or on Twitter @chowebacca

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo East's Rocco Rowell soaking up the moments while running track