Volcano Vista's Sierra Quinones has been an integral part of the Hawk pack since seeing the light and switching to Cross Country. Photo by Volcano Vista Athletics.
As the 2014 New Mexico Cross Country season winds down, we are a few days away from the state reconvening in Rio Rancho for the Big Dance. Until then, we will pass the time getting to know this season's Senior Class.
As noted before, questionnaires were handed out at the Jamboree, or emailed to those who were not in attendance, and this is what we get. The Top 30 Seniors were determined from the 5K Rankings before the Jamboree, then adjusted after the Jamboree. If a kid was Top 30 before the race, they received a questionnare, if they raced themselves into the 30, then they were emailed a questionnarie after. With that, we continue our series with Volcano Vista senior, Sierra Quinones.
NM Milesplit Top 30 Senior Profile - #17 Sierra Quinones
What are your Goals for the 2014 XC Season? How are the progressing toward them?
My goals for the 2014 Cross Country season are to give everything I have at every meet because I keep in mind that this will be my last time running at this course. I want to leave each course feeling proud and accomplished. By the end of this season, I would like to reach the time my cross coach last year—Coach Gilmore—gave me, a 19:06. If I can, I would like to run under 19:00. I am accomplishing these goals by training hard each day and taking care of myself by staying healthy and resting when needed.
What does a typical week of training look like for you? Do you Cross Train?
A typical training week for me consists of: a moderately paced long run, an easy paced long run, a hard speed day (intervals/repeats), a moderately paced long run, and a pre-meet practice easy run. No, I don’t cross train.
Describe your favorite workout and tell why it’s your favorite.
My favorite workout is fartlek (speed play) with flags marking the distances you must change pace at. I like this workout the most because I like changing speed and I also like seeing the distance I have to go at the different speeds. It helps me mentally to get the workout done and I just think, “Well I only have this much distance, so might as well push myself.”
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I’ve been running for 2 years. I spent my freshman and sophomore years playing soccer, but my junior year I just decided to give Cross Country a shot. I enjoyed the running of soccer, so the move to Cross Country seemed and turned out to be right for me.
What is your favorite and toughest race so far?
I’ve been running for 2 years. I spent my freshman and sophomore years playing soccer, but my junior year I just decided to give Cross Country a shot. I enjoyed the running of soccer, so the move to Cross Country seemed and turned out to be right for me. My favorite meet this year was Metro, because I ran my personal record there. The toughest would have to be Jamboree, because I wasn’t mentally prepared for that course at the time.
Describe your favorite XC memory.
My favorite Cross Country memory was last Cross Country season, winning District with my amazing team! That race we all ran our hearts out and we fought for that first place victory. We all had been talking about it for weeks before and how bad we really wanted it. Then come District, we showed how badly we wanted the win and how hard we worked for that. It was so exciting and shocking, we knew we had it in us but we didn’t know it would actually come true.
Out of all your accomplishments, which one(s) stand out?
Winning District definitely stands out the most because of how bad we wanted it and worked for it.
What is your favorite subject in school?
My favorite subject in school is math because I love problem solving and working with numbers, it’s just how my brain functions.
When you’re not running, what do you like to do?
When I’m not running, I like to listen to music, go to the movies with friends, and hanging out with friends.
How have your Coaches influenced you?
My coaches have influenced me by showing me that running becomes your lifestyle and that no matter how you are feeling that day, leave every last bit of it on the course. Whether its 100% or 20%, race with it all.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan on attending The University of New Mexico. I plan on studying biology and running Cross Country and Track for UNM. I plan on becoming a Forensic Pathologist.
Fast 6
- Your favorite pre-race meal: a bagel with cream cheese and a glass of water
- What shoes do you train/race in: I train in Nike Pegasus 31 shoes and race in Nike Jana Star XC racing spikes.
- Favorite athlete (running or non-running): soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo, because he has good work ethics and always feels the need to improve.
- Favorite song: Classic by Mkto.
- Favorite book:
- Favorite quote: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” –Philippians 4:13