Javier Soto, a student at Walton High School who competes in the Legends Auto Racing tour, is a recipient of a 2026 Georgia Positive Athlete Award.
Soto was among the 31 honorees recently at the Georgia state capitol, and was named the winner of the boys alternative category.
The awards are given to high school student-athletes for their “leadership, resilience, and community impact.”
Recipients are nominated by coaches and school administrators who demonstrate positive values, including optimism, encouragement, respect and who are committed to service. 
More than 5,000 students were nominated from more than 400 high schools in Georgia. Allatoona High School received the Most Positive High School award. Allatoona’s Avery Shoplock was honored in the girls’ soccer category.
Soto, who is a rising junior at Walton, has been successful on the track, earning several wins and podium appearances,” according to a release from the Cobb County School District, “but it may have been his willingness to mentor younger drivers that put him in the spotlight for Positive Athlete.
“Javi always has such a positive and optimistic approach and outlook toward each event,” said his coach, mentor, and crew chief, Andy James, who nominated Javier.
“He doesn’t have the best equipment, but he doesn’t let that change his mindset on the outcome of the race. Many times, he has outperformed his competitors that have bigger budgets and better equipment, but even when he doesn’t, he maintains a positive attitude.”
The Legends Auto Racing tour features vehicles built in the vintage American styles of the 1930s and 1940s.
A Go-Kart driver, Soto is the head of Javier Soto Racing, and he has competed on tracks in Georgia and throughout the Southeast. He has won five races, and has 25 Top 10 finishes.
“This recognition speaks volumes about the culture that exists throughout Cobb County School District athletics,” Don Baker, the district’s athletics director, said in the release.
Related:
- Kell wins state baseball championship; Pope finishes as runner-up
- Atlanta Braves legendary manager Bobby Cox, East Cobb resident, dies
- Walton lacrosse team rallies around athlete battling cancer
- Cobb PARKS presents new Shaw Park field relocation plans
- Food scores: Atlanta Braves fare at Truist Park
- Cobb PARKS releseases spring/summer activity guide
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