What was your most memorable race/throw/jump/vault/moment?
My most memorable race was the 3200m run at UF Relays in 2019, I had finished running the 1600m run with a PR and then I went sub 10 for the first time by the slimmest of margins. It was a goal of mine for a long time and the satisfaction of that achievement was indescribable.
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
My biggest competition over my four years we're runners from Estero and Fort Myers high schools, both teams were extremely competitive and they set the benchmark for excellence in running in Lee County FL.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment in my running career in High School would be placing top 3 at regionals for XC and then being able to help my team make it to states for the first time in 10 years.
Who would you consider your biggest role model over your four years competing?
Over my four years competing my biggest role model was Hugh Brittenham of Estero, I would always strive to be as good as a runner as he is. I also looked up to Evan Williams and Arye Beck of Estero and Evan Babatz of Fort Myers as I wanted to be like them and as good as them when I saw them run as a freshman.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running or field career in high school?
I would have stopped drinking soda so much my freshman and sophomore year and I would run more miles in the summers.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome? How did you overcome them?
Some of the most difficult obstacles I had to overcome included financial difficulty and time management. These obstacles taught me that in order to become successful one must have adaptability and not let anything become a hindrance to your training. To stop giving excuses and to give results.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss the long car/Bus rides to meets. Me and my team would have a blast doing karaoke or making jokes and having deep conversations.
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
One of the most important things in order to set yourself up for success in the early stages of your HS Running career is consistency. Especially small but consistent efforts, this type of consistency will yield the best results. You'll feel stronger doing 40 pushups a day than 100 push ups once a week for example. You also gotta love your training and enjoy your running. It doesn't last long, and do not complain about running.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
Other than my parents my coaches are one of the best mentors I've had so far in my life. One of my coaches, Coach Rodriguez, coached me since the beginning of my running career and he taught me 2 things that hard work beats talent and that if you put in the work you will yield the results. He has helped me through thick and thin and has always been very supportive of me. If it weren't for his insight and support in running I would not be where I am today In the sport of running.
What are your post-high school or college plans?
I will continue my academic and athletic running career at Florida Gulf Coast University. After college I want to get into real estate in SWFL and also help those in need.
Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
I thank the Lord for giving me the strength to run at the best of my ability during High School.
Thank you to all my coaches and teammates, peers, runners from other schools for all their support. It truly helps and makes a difference.
2 things
"Stop giving me excuses and give me results" ~ Skipper The Penguin From Madagascar
And to always operate at absolute effort in order to yield the best result no matter the circumstance
