scrunners: When did you start to run?
nuñez lópez: I started in 2002, my seventh grade year.
scrunners: Why did you start to run?
nuñez lópez: I started to run because my sister and brother started.
scrunners: Do you remember your first race, please explain?
nuñez lópez: I don't really remember my first race, but I remember my first time trials. It was so hard for me, I ended up running a 30:45 and from that moment, I wanted to be just as good as my sister.
scrunners: Do you have any family members that run? If so, where and when?
nuñez lópez: As a kid and a teenager my mom use to run in Mexico during her lunch hour at school. She would usually compete against schoolmates and win. My sister and my brother both started running cross country in 2000.
scrunners: Following your junior running seasons, what kind of thoughts did you have going into your senior year? What kind of team goals does the team have?
nuñez lópez: I really stepped it up my junior year. I was always running in the shadows. I finally won my first race and became the number one runner in my team. When I lost my spot because of an injury, I was focused and determined to be better and stronger than before. The team goals is to have the top five girls close together. We have individual goals each week and with every meet, we keep improving. Coach Legrand likes to look at it as a process.
scrunners: Do you or the team have a tradition before each race?
nuñez lópez: We have a lot of traditions/routines that we usually do before the race. For example, we always pray right before the race. We write Bible verses on our claves so we can inspire others.
scrunners: How did your summer training go?
nuñez lópez: I had the best summer training this summer. It was different than all the other because I had a lot of movitivation. One being my senior year and the second being because I was training for my first ever 8k. My sister also trained with me too which made my summer training better.
scrunners: Did you attend a running camp?
nuñez lópez: I have never attended a running camp. I feel like I can coach myself because I've learned a lot from Coach Legrand.
scrunners: What kind of strategy did you have going into last week's Lake Murray Invitational?
nuñez lópez: I had no strategy what so ever. I had a very uneasy nervous feeling because I had woke up sick. I remember telling Raheema Hodges during the first 800 meters to work together, but after I went down the first hill, I just took off. I just tried to run my very best and when I was on the last mile, I knew I was going to win I just had to go for it.
scrunners: Did you make a move at a certain spot?
nuñez lópez: I made a move going down the first hill to take the lead. I made the last move at the very end. At the last 800 meters, people kept on telling me that the next runner was 30 yards away, from there I started to really go for it.
scrunners: How often do you train at Crooked Creek Park? Please explain. Do you run the same course each time at the park?
nuñez lópez: I don't really train that much at Crooked Creek Park during the school year. Just once, before Lake Murray Invitational. I do however run at the park a lot during the summer when its really hot. During the summer I try running different courses so that I can get different workouts.
scrunners: Who was your biggest individual and team rival this season? How did these develop?
nuñez lópez: I don't really have a big rival. The only rival I do have is myself. I try to push myself to the limits where I become my own rival, I try to beat my mind. Team rival wise has been Daniel for the past three years now. They just have an outstanding talented girls cross country team.
scrunners: How has your training been going this season?
nuñez lópez: My training has been going great so far. I feel better than ever.
scrunners: Have you been to the Disney meet before? Explain a little what this is like and what else do you do on this trip?
I ran the Disney meet last year and I had a blast. The course is a little challenging because of its loose sand at the middle of the race. Overall, its one of my favorite courses. We stay at the All Sports resort hotel for two nights and go to the parks. We also get to bond as a team which really helps us.
scrunners: How has the team reacted to the trip?
nuñez lópez: The team loves the trip. There is not a single person who does not enjoy it. Its just amazing to be able to run an out of state meet and have fun at the same time...especially when we are in Mickeyland!
scrunners: What do you think for in a coach and what do you expect a coach to look for in you?
nuñez lópez: I personally like a coach who is dedicated to his job and willing to make his team the best. I expect a coach to see that I am commited and dedicated to running. Also, that I just don't run because of it, I run because I want to make everyone proud.
scrunners: Do you see yourself coaching in the future, why or why not and if so, what level?
nuñez lópez: I do see myself coaching in the future. I have taken in a lot of Coach Legrand's coaching ablities and I would love to help future runners become successful. I would probably like to coach high school level.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured? Please explain.
nuñez lópez: Like every runner, I have hit a couple of bumps down the road.
scrunners: How do you stay motivated during this time?
nuñez lópez: I stay motivated by never losing focus. I have a lot to run for. Running is basically paying my college and I want to finish my senior year as number one if possible.
scrunners: Do you incorporate cross training while injured or during off-season?
nuñez lópez: I basically run all year including the off-season. I don't like taking any days off (just weekends) because I want to feel and stay in shape.
scrunners: What motivates you on a daily basis for school, sports and life?
nuñez lópez: A lot of things motivate me, especially my friends and family. All I want to be is successful and happy in life.
scrunners: Do you feel running has helped you in other parts of your daily/weekly tasks? Please explain.
nuñez lópez: Running has definitely helped throughout my life. Because of running I am more confident and I am not as lazy as I used to be. Running has also enables me to think clearer because it refreshes my mind and body.
scrunners: Do you see yourself running in college? Why or why not?
nuñez lópez: I do see myself running for college because I really love to compete. My sister runs for Lander University and I cannot wait to finally run with my competitive sister again.
scrunners: Where do you see yourself going in the sport after college?
nuñez lópez: After college I would like to become a marathon runner. Once I run a marathon, I know I can do anything in life.
scrunners: For younger runners, what do you recommend for them to do to achieve their best in the sport?
I recommend to never give up and go after their goals. They can have a bad race , but who knows, they can impress themselves/other on the next one.
scrunners: How have you seen the sport change in the state?
nuñez lópez: Yes, I have seen the sport change in the state. The runners keep getting more and more competitive. They crave to be the best and make statements so they can stand out.
scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do what would it be and why?
nuñez lópez: I have a lot of things I would like to do in the world, but I would mostly like to live life to its fullest. I want to enjoy life and make my family and my community proud because I want to be as successful and as happy as I can be. I would also like people to look up to me and hopefully accomplish their goals.
scrunners: What do you think you will remember the most, at this time, from your time at Chapin?
nuñez lópez: I think I will mostly remember cross country and track. Running is my life and its going to be hard not running for Chapin anymore. Above all, I will always remember Coach Legrand because he is like a father to me and because of him, I am who I am today.
nuñez lópez: I started in 2002, my seventh grade year.
scrunners: Why did you start to run?
nuñez lópez: I started to run because my sister and brother started.
scrunners: Do you remember your first race, please explain?
nuñez lópez: I don't really remember my first race, but I remember my first time trials. It was so hard for me, I ended up running a 30:45 and from that moment, I wanted to be just as good as my sister.
scrunners: Do you have any family members that run? If so, where and when?
nuñez lópez: As a kid and a teenager my mom use to run in Mexico during her lunch hour at school. She would usually compete against schoolmates and win. My sister and my brother both started running cross country in 2000.
scrunners: Following your junior running seasons, what kind of thoughts did you have going into your senior year? What kind of team goals does the team have?
nuñez lópez: I really stepped it up my junior year. I was always running in the shadows. I finally won my first race and became the number one runner in my team. When I lost my spot because of an injury, I was focused and determined to be better and stronger than before. The team goals is to have the top five girls close together. We have individual goals each week and with every meet, we keep improving. Coach Legrand likes to look at it as a process.
scrunners: Do you or the team have a tradition before each race?
nuñez lópez: We have a lot of traditions/routines that we usually do before the race. For example, we always pray right before the race. We write Bible verses on our claves so we can inspire others.
scrunners: How did your summer training go?
nuñez lópez: I had the best summer training this summer. It was different than all the other because I had a lot of movitivation. One being my senior year and the second being because I was training for my first ever 8k. My sister also trained with me too which made my summer training better.
scrunners: Did you attend a running camp?
nuñez lópez: I have never attended a running camp. I feel like I can coach myself because I've learned a lot from Coach Legrand.
scrunners: What kind of strategy did you have going into last week's Lake Murray Invitational?
nuñez lópez: I had no strategy what so ever. I had a very uneasy nervous feeling because I had woke up sick. I remember telling Raheema Hodges during the first 800 meters to work together, but after I went down the first hill, I just took off. I just tried to run my very best and when I was on the last mile, I knew I was going to win I just had to go for it.
scrunners: Did you make a move at a certain spot?
nuñez lópez: I made a move going down the first hill to take the lead. I made the last move at the very end. At the last 800 meters, people kept on telling me that the next runner was 30 yards away, from there I started to really go for it.
scrunners: How often do you train at Crooked Creek Park? Please explain. Do you run the same course each time at the park?
nuñez lópez: I don't really train that much at Crooked Creek Park during the school year. Just once, before Lake Murray Invitational. I do however run at the park a lot during the summer when its really hot. During the summer I try running different courses so that I can get different workouts.
scrunners: Who was your biggest individual and team rival this season? How did these develop?
nuñez lópez: I don't really have a big rival. The only rival I do have is myself. I try to push myself to the limits where I become my own rival, I try to beat my mind. Team rival wise has been Daniel for the past three years now. They just have an outstanding talented girls cross country team.
scrunners: How has your training been going this season?
nuñez lópez: My training has been going great so far. I feel better than ever.
scrunners: Have you been to the Disney meet before? Explain a little what this is like and what else do you do on this trip?
I ran the Disney meet last year and I had a blast. The course is a little challenging because of its loose sand at the middle of the race. Overall, its one of my favorite courses. We stay at the All Sports resort hotel for two nights and go to the parks. We also get to bond as a team which really helps us.
scrunners: How has the team reacted to the trip?
nuñez lópez: The team loves the trip. There is not a single person who does not enjoy it. Its just amazing to be able to run an out of state meet and have fun at the same time...especially when we are in Mickeyland!
scrunners: What do you think for in a coach and what do you expect a coach to look for in you?
nuñez lópez: I personally like a coach who is dedicated to his job and willing to make his team the best. I expect a coach to see that I am commited and dedicated to running. Also, that I just don't run because of it, I run because I want to make everyone proud.
scrunners: Do you see yourself coaching in the future, why or why not and if so, what level?
nuñez lópez: I do see myself coaching in the future. I have taken in a lot of Coach Legrand's coaching ablities and I would love to help future runners become successful. I would probably like to coach high school level.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured? Please explain.
nuñez lópez: Like every runner, I have hit a couple of bumps down the road.
scrunners: How do you stay motivated during this time?
nuñez lópez: I stay motivated by never losing focus. I have a lot to run for. Running is basically paying my college and I want to finish my senior year as number one if possible.
scrunners: Do you incorporate cross training while injured or during off-season?
nuñez lópez: I basically run all year including the off-season. I don't like taking any days off (just weekends) because I want to feel and stay in shape.
scrunners: What motivates you on a daily basis for school, sports and life?
nuñez lópez: A lot of things motivate me, especially my friends and family. All I want to be is successful and happy in life.
scrunners: Do you feel running has helped you in other parts of your daily/weekly tasks? Please explain.
nuñez lópez: Running has definitely helped throughout my life. Because of running I am more confident and I am not as lazy as I used to be. Running has also enables me to think clearer because it refreshes my mind and body.
scrunners: Do you see yourself running in college? Why or why not?
nuñez lópez: I do see myself running for college because I really love to compete. My sister runs for Lander University and I cannot wait to finally run with my competitive sister again.
scrunners: Where do you see yourself going in the sport after college?
nuñez lópez: After college I would like to become a marathon runner. Once I run a marathon, I know I can do anything in life.
scrunners: For younger runners, what do you recommend for them to do to achieve their best in the sport?
I recommend to never give up and go after their goals. They can have a bad race , but who knows, they can impress themselves/other on the next one.
scrunners: How have you seen the sport change in the state?
nuñez lópez: Yes, I have seen the sport change in the state. The runners keep getting more and more competitive. They crave to be the best and make statements so they can stand out.
scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do what would it be and why?
nuñez lópez: I have a lot of things I would like to do in the world, but I would mostly like to live life to its fullest. I want to enjoy life and make my family and my community proud because I want to be as successful and as happy as I can be. I would also like people to look up to me and hopefully accomplish their goals.
scrunners: What do you think you will remember the most, at this time, from your time at Chapin?
nuñez lópez: I think I will mostly remember cross country and track. Running is my life and its going to be hard not running for Chapin anymore. Above all, I will always remember Coach Legrand because he is like a father to me and because of him, I am who I am today.