TYLER, TEXAS - David Soto arrived at UT Tyler as a small-town standout from Winnsboro, Texas, but over the past three years he has developed into one of the most accomplished distance runners in program history. A finance major with five school records to his name, Soto has earned USTFCCCA All-Region honors, multiple All-Lone Star Conference selections, a Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Year award, and an LSC Indoor Championship in the mile. His rise, however, began long before the record board started changing.

UT Tyler's coaching staff identified Soto early. Competing at an area meet in high school, he stood out not just for his times, but for how he raced. "I saw him as a junior at the area meet in Winnsboro, and he competed really well," Assistant Coach Kirby Shepherd said. "He was small, but he had that competitiveness. When I got here, he was one of the first I reached out to recruiting wise because I knew he was going to be good." Soto became one of the first commitments in a pivotal East Texas recruiting class, helping lay the foundation for the program's current success. "I came to UT Tyler because of the coaches and how committed they were to building the program," Soto said. "They were the first school to genuinely express interest in me. I was also familiar with a lot of the guys who were committing with me. We had raced against each other and stayed in touch throughout our senior years of high school."

Soto wasted little time making an impact. As a freshman in 2023, he ran alongside and often ahead of fifth and sixth year runners during cross country season. That indoor track season, he captured the Lone Star Conference title in the mile, a breakthrough moment he still calls his favorite memory at UT Tyler. "The energy was unreal," Soto said. "Everyone was hyped, and even the other teams were shocked." Shepherd recalled, "His first semester in cross, he was running with older guys and beating them for the most part. He made a big impact pretty quickly."

Consistency and discipline have become Soto's trademarks. Shepherd explained, "Everything he does, training, classroom, recovery, sleep, eating, he does everything like he's supposed to be great. When he's racing, he doesn't really care how he feels. He's going to compete with the best because he wants to be one of the best." Soto echoed that mindset. "I know what can come from being disciplined and getting the work done regardless of how I feel," he said. "If I stay consistent and train at the maximum capacity that I can handle, the results will eventually show."

Over the years, Soto's role has grown beyond performance. Initially a quiet freshman, he quickly became a leader for his class and later a mentor for the athletes who followed. "Once the first semester ended, he became the leader of that freshman group," Shepherd said. "Every summer since, he's built his strength and mental capacity to handle that type of training. He's been more vocal, calling people out when needed and helping teammates when they are struggling. That makes my job easier knowing he helps lead the team." Soto takes that responsibility seriously. "When I first joined, I expected to play more of a supporting role as the number two guy and focus on improving every day," he said. "Since then, my expectations have changed. I expect a lot more out of myself, and I try to hold my teammates to the same standard. I want to lead by example."

Soto's achievements on the track and cross country course are extraordinary. Indoors, he owns the mile (4:08.15), 3,000 meters (8:17.80), and 5,000 meters (13:58.29), including a historic 5K at the Terrier Classic in Boston that broke the school record by nearly 31 seconds. Outdoors, he holds the 1500 meters (3:50.94) and 5,000 meters (14:23.35). In cross country, he has earned multiple All-LSC honors and All-Region recognition in 2025. Shepherd highlighted the broader impact: "He's raised the standard for the program. People gravitate to him, seeing how he does everything day in and day out. He's taken people under his wing, showing them how to put in the work."

Despite the accolades, Soto's focus remains forward looking. "In my eyes, records are meant to be broken," he said. "I hope someone after me comes along and does the same. My goal is to become an NCAA Champion, and until I do that, I won't be satisfied." Shepherd believes that ambition is part of what sets Soto apart. "He's a program changer. Once he's done here, it's going to be hard to find someone like him again."

From a promising recruit in Winnsboro to a record-setting leader at UT Tyler, David Soto's journey has reshaped the program. And with his sights set on an NCAA championship, the most significant chapters of his story are still being written.