Born and raised in San Francisco, Francis was a soccer and baseball player until his senior year in high school. After he discovered his talent for running, Francis went on to win the 2005 and 2006 Community College State Championship in the 800m. He quickly made the switch to NCAA competition and earned indoor All-American honors in 2007 on Cal's distance medley relay. He was also an outdoor National Championship Qualifier in 2008 in the 800m. Francis now lives and trains in Berkeley.
