Estero's Aaron Rojas is gearing up for his senior season and hoping to lead his squad to back-to-back state championships. The Wildcats move up to 3A for the 2011 season with the likes of Belen Jesuit, Tallahassee Lincoln, and Fort Walton Beach. See how Rojas and his teammates have been preparing, his goals for the season, and which former Estero runner inspires him in this Cross Country Q&A.
As a freshman and sophomore you had the opportunity to run with Erick Montoya who is now at the University of Florida. What did he teach you and is he someone you looked up to when you first started at Estero?
It was an amazing experience running with Erick. When I came in as a freshman I really looked up to him and I still do. He really motivated me to become a better runner. He's always bushed himself no matter what. I learned that from him and he always helped me with my training when he was still here at Estero. He has helped me become the runner I am today.
What did your summer training consist of?
I'm not really one that keeps track of my mileage per week, but on long runs we do anywhere from 10-15 miles. Our training has been really intense over the summer though. Our coach is really pushing us to our limits. The whole team is doing well. On one of our long runs coach had us do about four miles at a good pace, then go to the track and five quarters hard, then another four miles right after at about the same pace as the first four. Also, one day of the week we do circuits.
All the guys on this team seem to have such a tight bond. What do you guys do outside of running that makes you so close?
Our team is as close as it has been. We have bonded a lot. We all hangout, watch movies, and sometimes we'll go to someone's house and have breakfast. It's like we're all family. Everyone looks out for each other, and cares for one another, it's like we're brothers. Lastly, we all really trust each other and I believe that is a great thing we have because we know we can trust everyone to do their bests when it comes to races.
In 2009 the team finished second. Last year Estero won the state championship. What are your goals for this year and is there anyone you expect to step up?
This year the team has the same goal in mind and that is to win another state title. I expect the whole team to do really big things. We've been working really hard over the summer. It was incredible to win the state championship as a team last year. The year before we lost to Bishop Kenny by three points and we were all disappointed, but we used it as motivation to work harder, and all the hard work paid off. We brought home a state championship the following year.
The Estero girls won the 2A state championship as well last year. What was it like to win it together and what does that say about Coach Summer's program?
It meant a lot more that the girls won it as well because it's like a team as a whole. The boys and girls won it together so we could all celebrate together. We support the girls all the way and they do the same for us. We all practice together and do the same workouts. The girls are extremely hard workers. They want to become the best they can. Most of the girls run with the guys. They are the hardest working girls in the state and I doubt anyone works and pushes themselves to the limit as much as our girls do. That says that coach has the greatest program that there is. He really knows how to make us become not just a better runner but a better athlete, and a better person.
The school moves from 2A to 3A this season. What do you know about the competition in 3A?
The move is going to be tough on us, but we really know that if we work hard we can be a contender for that state title. I don't know a lot of the teams in 3A, but I know for sure Belen Jesuit will be very tough competition as a team. It will take a lot to go back-to-back, but I believe in my team and myself to pull out another title.
You've seen great improvement over the past three years going from 68th to 17th and last year 6th. What are your goals for your senior season?
My success has come from hard work and striving to be the best, but most important I thank God for all he has given me; the strength to keep pushing forward and being the best I can be. It would mean so much for me to win a state title individually. It would be a nice way to end my high school season, but it would mean more to win as a team because my team means a lot to me. I want them all there on the same podium with me receiving that team title. I want to hit really low 15's and I want to go to those post season meets like NXN and Foot Locker. It's my senior year and I am going to enjoy the season and leave everything out there, no regrets.
What meets are you looking forward to competing in?
I'm looking forward to the big meets like Mountain Dew Invite, flrunners.com Invitational, Pre-States, and most of all states.
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