Not just a one-trick pony

Ayoub Farah has spent the majority of his high school career being known as one of Owatonna’s brightest young minds between holding a 4._ GPA and winning a state title in speech and debate, but last week he proved that he is much more than just a star pupil.

The senior ran in his first-ever state cross-country meet and placed seventh in the Class AAA race to become an all-state athlete as well.

“Throughout high school I’ve been very focused on academics, and I still am, but since this is my last year, I felt like I had to get one athletic accolade in my resume as well. I don’t want to be known as a one-trick pony, and this kind of helps me with that I guess,” said Farah with a laugh.

One week prior to the state meet, the 2026 senior had a dream run in sections where he beat a field of 56 athletes by finishing first in 15:39.2 to set a personal record.

The mark was enough to beat his previous personal record of 19:50.0 from 2024 by over four minutes, but it wasn’t good enough for Farah.

Mere days late, he would go on to improve his time again by finishing in 15:36.2 to earn the Huskies their first all-state finisher since Mark Hozerland in 2012 and becoming the sixth-ever Owatonna runner to place inside the top 10.

“It feels euphoric. Honestly, going into state, I felt kind of indifferent toward doing well. I was just happy I made it and I wanted to take it all in with my teammates. To be able to do well was like the cherry on top of my senior season. It’s a culmination of all the hard work we put in this season and over the summer,” said Farah.

According to Owatonna Head Coach Luke Holt, Farah’s improvement from last year to this season was unlike anything he’s seen before.

“I have never seen an athlete jump over four minutes in a single year at that level. It has been a crazy, amazing thing to watch. I’m glad that you brought up athletics, because he is one of the smartest kids I’ve ever coached, and his academics are why I think he’s so good on the course. He applies that same discipline to his racing strategies and his discipline in training,” said Holt.

On top of being an all-state-caliber athlete, Farah was the Huskies’ 2024-25 ExCEL Award winner for his participation in National Honor Society, student council, speech, mock trial, knowledge bowl, key club, math league, peer tutoring, choir, cross-country and track and field.

On top of his already jam-packed schedule, Farah also serves his community as the founder and president of National Youth for Immigrant Advocacy, the president of the Youth Against Sexual Violence, and as an Owatonna Public Schools, School Board Student Representative.

A remarkable young individual and absolutely the furthest thing from a one-trick pony.