By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — It wasn’t until junior year that Rio Grande City’s Ana Bautista felt a sense of urgency to take cross country more seriously.
Bautista had always worked hard at the sport, ever since she began running competitively in the seventh grade. But her outcomes, amid varying success, didn’t consume her like they do now. Falling short at regionals, and missing out on a chance to go to state, “lit a fire under her,” coach Ricardo Altahif said. And as her high school career draws to a close, Bautista is feeling the pressure to peak.
“Before, she was running just to run,” Altahif said. “Now, she’s committed to trying to win and become one of the best runners in district and in the Valley.
“It’s a major improvement from one year to the next.”
As a senior, Bautista has won Diamondback Invitational, Mission “Fly Like an Eagle” Invitational and last week’s Patriot Invitational. She also came in second place in the elite portion of the Meet of Champions, while finishing third at the RGV Classic.
Those shortcomings have largely fueled Bautista, who seeks to become the first runner in the girls program to win district and only the second to advance to state. Last year, she fell one place shy of punching her ticket to state for cross country, while coming up short in district in track and field.
So going into June 1, Bautista’s anticipation grew as her coaches introduced a new approach for her senior year. With an increased mileage, increased intensity and more competitive meets schedule, Bautista charted specific times she expected to hit as the season progressed.
Early on, the staff eyed low 19-minute marks, which she reached twice in placing 10th at the Island Splash in Corpus Christi and Nike South Invitational in Houston. Later, they projected Bautista would surpass the high 18s, which she has accomplished at most meets this year, including an 18:39.3 finish at the RGV Classic.
“I’ve done good,” Bautista said, “but I’m not satisfied with my times.”
From her mileage to her speed and an improved attitude, Bautista sees a discernible difference from a year ago. But she hesitates to celebrate any victories, at least until she helps her team advance to regionals. She finished first at the Patriot Invitational a week ago, lifting the Lady Rattlers to a second-place finish behind Weslaco High, a Class 6A program.
“She’s more serious, more focused and more committed to the outcome,” Altahif said. “She’s just more focused on trying to make her teammates better.”
The renewed confidence comes at an opportune time for Bautista, who is beginning to hit her stride ahead of Saturday’s District 31-5A meet at Sharyland Pioneer.
“Last year, it made me realize I could do it,” Bautista said. Coming up short at regionals, “it motivated me to not go through that feeling again.
“I mean, it’s my last year, so I have to take advantages of the chances I get.”