CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 SPORTS) -- Just three years ago, Bazil Mathes was a casual runner, but today, he is considered the best distance runner in the state.

“I started track at the end of my freshman year," Mathes said. "I had a friend that told me I should come out and I did and after that I decided to do cross country and things kind of went from there.”

And it's safe to say that Monticello cross country and track and field coach Doug Bloor really appreciates that friend. 

“He didn’t know when he started off how talented he was," Monticello cross county and track and field coach Doug Bloor said. "But he’s taken that talent to another level.” 

That level includes six state titles in the 1600 meters and 3200 meters and becoming the fastest distance runner in Monticello history. 

“I have a lot of pride in this school and it’s kind of fun to not only run for myself, but to run for the school," Mathes said. 

That same pride trickling down to the person that gets to work with him every day. 

“I’m really proud to be his coach," Bloor said. "People think running is simple. You put one foot in front of the other and there’s a lot of technology and science behind it and Bazil eats it up, so coaching him has been amazing. In some ways, I try to slow him down more than push him because he’s pushing himself plenty.”

Although he has accomplished so much in his short career, there's still one race that's at the top of his mind -- Foot Locker Nationals in San Diego, CA later this year.

“I would be so happy [if I qualified], he said. "It seems super cool. You get to go out to California and meet all these great people and race with them. It’s pretty great.”

Mathes will continue career close by at the University of Virginia, a program he has always dreamed of being a part of.  

“All of the UVA guys are honestly big role models," he said. "It’s kind of cool that they are all in this town and they are doing all this cool stuff and I get to be a part of that soon. It's pretty cool.”

“It’s a great fit for him and I could see that from when he first started talking with the UVA coaches," Bloor said. "I could just tell the way he was talking. He was looking at other colleges, but UVA, I could tell, is going to be a good fit for him for how he wants to run. The coaching there is really good and I think he’s going to do very well there.”