Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (AZ)

2021 (Senior):

• NAIA All-American
• Ran in seven events for Embry-Riddle, posting four top-five finishes, and a pair of top-two finishes
• Earned NAIA All-American honors with a top-40 finish at the NAIA National Championships, crossing the finish line at 25:51.9
• Posted season's fastest time at the George Kyte Classic (24:04.2)
• Set personal fastest 8000 meter time at the 2021 Highlander Invitational, posting a time of 25:05.5
• Finished second at the Cal Pac Championships with a time of 25:19.6

2020-21 (Senior):

• Ran in all four XC meets for the Eagles
• NAIA All-American
• First Team All-Cal Pac
• Best time of the season was a 25:13.2 at the NAIA National Championships (4/9) to establish a new career best
• Finished third at the Cal Pac Championhips and 28th at nationals

2019 (Junior):

• First team All-Cal Pac
• Finished 32nd at NAIA National Championships missing All-America by two spots
• Fifth at Cal Pac Championships also ran his PR in an 8k (25:17.8)
• ERAU's No. 3 all season

2018 (Sophomore):

• First team All-Cal Pac
• Career best 25:21 at the NAIA National Championships(11/16)
• Ran to third at the Cal Pac Championship (10/29)
• First Eagle to finish at the NAIA National Championship where he finished 42^nd

2017 (Freshman):

• First team All-Cal Pac
• Ran in seven events for ERAU
• Top 8K time of 26:26.1 came at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational (10/14)
• Took seventh at the Cal Pac Championship (10/30)
• Ran at the NAIA National Championship (11/18) where he placed 126^th

Off the Course at ERAU:

• Minor in Applied Meteorology

High School:

• Graduate of Madera South High School in Madera, Calif.
• Running a 15:49 for 5 km
• 14:59 for 3 miles
• 9:23 for 3200 m
• 4:24 for 1600 m
• 2015 Varsity most improved runner
• 2016 Varsity coaches award
• Volunteering at middle and elementary school races

Personal

• Full Name is Nicholas Angelo Hernandez
• Born September 20, 1999 in Madera, Calif.
• Son of Melissa Hernandez and Marcus Zaragoza
• Nicholas has one brother Ezekiel Caranza and one sister Jacqueline Zaragoza
• Academic Major: Astronomy
• Favorite Movie: Interstellar
• Favorite Book: Cosmos
• Favorite Musical Artist: Pink Floyd
• Favorite Athlete: Hicham El Guerrouj
• Hobbies: Stargazing
• Interesting Off the Trail Story About Me:I am very fascinated by science!
• I Chose to Attend ERAU Because: "Embry-Riddle has what I need to become a successful astronomer"