One and done for Titans’ Swiss runner

Dario Stadler was born and raised in Zurich, Switzerland, until the family moved to Poway three years ago when he was in sixth grade.

To that point, Stadler said he wasn’t much into competitive running.

Now, as a freshman member of the Poway cross country team, he runs miles nearly every day.

But unfortunately, this will be Stadler’s first and final season with the Titans since the family is slated to return to Zurich this summer. The contract his dad signed with Swissphone was for a three-year stint before it was extended for one more year, allowing Dario a one-year career at Poway.

“Originally, the company wanted to send him to Colorado, but he asked for California since Colorado’s weather is too much like home,’’ Stadler said. “I was excited to stay one more year to start high school here.

“Back home, there are no sports in school. You have to join a club to do what I’m doing at Poway.’’

Stadler’s first year at Poway has been slowed a bit by a gimpy knee, the result of running and playing soccer at the same time.

“I’ve played soccer all my life,’’ Stadler said. “I think I’m a soccer player who also runs, although I feel I am better at running right now.’’

The only reason the 5-foot-8 ½ Stadler is even running now is how well he ran in physical education class at Twin Peaks Middle School. He beat his best friend in a race during the school’s Sixth Grade Olympics.

“He’s really good and I beat him by 40 seconds,’’ Stadler said. “So everyone made go out for cross country and track. My friend didn’t talk to me for two days.’’

Stadler also joined the Pomerado Falcons club team, where he was coached by Bruce Jackson, the Poway coach.

He finished fourth at the Poway team trials this year and sat out the first meet because of the knee injury.

He was second among the Titans’ group of 22 freshmen at Laguna Hills. He slipped a bit at the Woodbridge Invitational.

“He came into the year with a few more accomplishments when he got here,’’ Jackson said. “He wasn’t even going to start high school before going home, so we are lucky to have him this year.’’

One thing Stadler has missed out on during his stay in Poway has been the family’s constant skiing trips. He’s been on skis more than he’s been running in his life.

“I love the weather here and I don’t,’’ Stadler said. “I can do lots of things outside here, but I miss skiing. I’ve been doing it since I was 2.’’

Stadler said most people are stunned when they see him or anyone in his family wearing a jacket during cold Poway nights.

“We get cold too,’’ he said. “My mom hears that all the time, like we’re supposed to be immune to the cold because we’re from Switzerland. When we go home, I’m really going to miss the beach. There are no beaches in Switzerland.’’

Stadler made one other trip to the United States before the family moved here. His cousin moved to Florida and the family came for a visit.

“He’s 24 now and he doesn’t want to go back to the cold weather,’’ Stadler said, laughing. “My dad isn’t fond of all the rain either.”

“I’m shocked when someone tells me they’ve never seen snow because I’ve seen it most of my life.’’

A life he’s about to return to during summer vacation.