There are multiple monikers that would suit Esperanza’s Bronson Osborn.
Hercules, Catapult and Automatic would all be perfect fits for the junior, who has been selected by the Register as the Orange County boys track and field athlete of the year.
But that’s not what his teammates call the state champion. They prefer the nickname “Old Man.”
“He walks slow, he drives slow, and he drinks coffee,” Esperanza throws coach Bill Pendleton said with a laugh. “He’s always very even-keeled.”
While Osborn’s teammates affectionately joke about his mannerisms, there are benefits to his mature behavior. His composed demeanor keeps him calm and focused in a sport that has a great deal of downtime.
At the CIF State Track and Field Championships, many of Osborn’s competitors belted out roars and clapped their hands in an attempt to appeal to the crowd.
If there were any emotions welling up inside of Osborn, he would not show them. He went about his business at the state finals, unleashing winning throws in the shot put (69 feet, 10¾ inches) and discus (200 feet, 10 inches).
“I think if you didn’t throw well, you would kind of feel embarrassed,” Osborn said of why he chooses to be low-key in his approach. “I’d rather just keep it in my own mind and focus on the throw.”
Osborn also stayed focused on his lofty goals. To reach them this season, he demonstrated rare strength and endurance for someone his age.
“We had a list of about 12 goals at the start of the season, and he’s met 11 of them,” Pendleton said.
The one remaining goal for this season is to win the New Balance Nationals. Osborn will be in Greensboro, NC, from June 17-19, to face the best in the country.
Osborn accomplished several impressive feats this season. He broke the Orange County shot put record early in the season. He uncorked lifetime bests of 204 feet, 4 inches in discus and 71 feet, 7¼ inches in shot put. He produced both marks at the Mt. SAC Relays to become just the second in state history to be a 200/70 thrower.
He also won both events at the Orange County Championships and CIF-SS Division 3 Finals before sweeping the events at the state meet.
“Records, they’ll be broken eventually,” he said. “If you win a title, you will always have that title.”
