ROGERS — Austin Salazar has overcome numerous challenges over the past nine months, and the Rogers High sophomore will tackle another one this weekend at the Arkansas Indoor State Track and Field Meet.

Salazar moved from California to Rogers in June and quickly joined the school’s cross country team. The adjustment was a big one.

Running in the heat and humidity of an Arkansas summer was different from Tehachapi, Calif., where the average high in July and August is in the 80s. The Mounties’ intense practice regime was also an eye-opener.

But Salazar moved from the back of the pack to finish second at the Class 7A cross country meet. He’ll get his first real taste of elite indoor running Saturday when he competes in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter races at the state indoor meet.

“Austin came in not knowing anybody, and I admire him so much for jumping right in there,” Rogers track coach Becky Efurd said. “Austin made friends real easily, and he has worked hard every day. He never has a bad day at practice, and the other kids see that.”

Salazar said it took some time to adjust to the competition in Arkansas. He ended the cross country season with a fourth-place finish at the 7A-West Conference meet (16 minutes, 25 seconds) before running a 16:00.3 for a second-place finish at the state cross country meet.

“Cross country really wasn’t a big sport from where I came from,” Salazar said. “I struggled at first, and I knew it was going to be a challenge. I knew I would be tested, but I knew I was going to get there.”

Even though he was new to the team, Salazar said he felt part of the Mounties from the start.

“Everybody just welcomed me,” Salazar said. “It was good to get to know people.”

Efurd said she wasn’t surprised by Salazar’s finish at the state meet.

“He didn’t have as big a group to run with where he came from, and I don’t think they were pushed,” Efurd said. “Austin wasn’t in front of the pack at the start, but he worked so hard to finish second at the state meet.

“Austin improved every week. Not once did he go back.”

Saturday’s meet will also be a challenge since Salazar had never run an indoor race before moving to Rogers. The smaller track means more turns, and the air inside the Randal Tyson Track Center isn’t the same as running outside.

“This is my first year running indoor and it is a lot harder to breathe,” Salazar said. “Your energy gets depleted because the air is more stagnate. You have to rethink everything you normally do on an outdoor track.”

Rogers is also looking for strong efforts from Taylor Bryant and Ian Smith in the 3,200.

“I’m counting on them to score points,” Efurd said.

On the girls side, Rogers is expecting to get points from senior Maggie Montoya. Montoya, who intends to sign with Baylor later this month, will compete in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 runs.