By MARK MOLINA | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
Rivera’s Andrea de la Rosa and Ruben Chapa’s victories Sept. 16 at the Brownsville Cross Country Invitational came during two very different types of races.
It’s only fitting that they had two different outlooks.
Chapa won a close race and is hoping to turn the win into a momentum boost.
“That win helped a lot because every week I’m gaining more confidence and hopefully that helps me out through the rest of the season,” Chapa said.
De la Rosa, on the other hand, dominated her end of the race and seeks a return to the UIL state meet this season after a huge sophomore campaign, but, she feels her times need to improve.
“This year I haven’t done that well with my times — they’re not that good,” de la Rosa said. “I know that there are faster girls than me and I don’t have to gain confidence … I still need to get better times.”
While the differences are aplenty, the common ground lies in avoiding the one proverbial hurdle that contributed to unexpected and bittersweet endings last season: Nerves.
The pair has avoided them so far and Rivera cross country coach Arturo Hurtado expects that to continue as he believes his athletes are destined for special seasons.
“I always have high expectations for my runners,” Hurtado said. “I want them to better themselves more than the previous year. I train them so they can perform. I know that they are ready to perform. We know about Andrea, but Ruben has a shot, too.”
But last season’s results will contribute to this year’s motivation.
IN IT TO WIN IT
Last season, de la Rosa won seven meets as a sophomore, including on her way to the state meet.
Her defining win came at last year’s Meet of Champions in Donna.
She set a PR (personal record) of 18:25.5, which set the tone for the second half where she won the District 32-6A crown and finished third at the Region IV-6A meet to qualify for state.
“When I got first (at the Meet of Champions), I felt confidence,” de la Rosa said. “I felt confident by the halfway point of the season, but I was still working very hard. When I made it to state, it was a magnificent thing.”
The then-sophomore had a good showing with an 18:43, good for 32nd overall, but her performance left a lot to be desired following the season.
Nerves played a part.
“I got nervous and I guess that’s why I didn’t do that great — the nerves got me,” de la Rosa said. “I still did good, I guess, but not as good as I was expected to.”
The race has pushed the Rivera junior to be better this season and she is on the right track, winning three races in four outings.
She placed third at this year’s Meet of Champions.
At this moment, de la Rosa doesn’t feel like her times are where they should be, but is hoping to change that before district on Oct. 13 in Los Fresnos.
However, she knows nothing is a given.
“I have it in mind that I already made it to state, but I don’t let that get to me,” de la Rosa said. “It’s not ‘oh, I made it to state; I’m the best,’ I need to keep trying hard and do my best.”
Hurtado said that his junior has her work cut out for her, but believes her experience will help her get back to state.
“We have three of the best runners in the region with Andrea, Ariana Beth Ramos from Edinburg North and Brianna Robles from La Joya Palmview — that’s a lot of competition down here,” Hurtado said. “Andrea is smart and she now knows the course and I’m expecting a higher place than last year. She already knows that and I’ve reminded her the whole summer.”
RIGHT THE WRONG
Chapa looked primed to have his own success during his junior campaign, finishing second at the Harlingen Invitational and fifth in the Donna Invitational in the to weeks leading up to the District 32-6A meet.
But when district came around days later, Chapa finished 33rd and the Raiders finished fourth overall, falling short of a regional berth as a team.
“It was a little frustrating because our team didn’t make it and Ruben was our No. 2 runner,” Hurtado said. “But things happen and you see it in even the best professional teams, sometimes they don’t perform — they’re just kids.”
Chapa said his feel was off on that day.
“It was the district meet and I got really nervous, which prevented me from running my best,” Chapa said. “I was usually ran as a team. We didn’t have the same team last year (like in previous years) and it just didn’t feel the same as running with my old teammates.”
“I’ve worked hard during the summer to make sure that won’t happen anymore.”
Chapa now is the Raiders’ top male and has looked sharp this season after getting his first ever win last week in Brownsville.
“He’s looking great (this season) and his running is looking beautiful,” Hurtado said. “Everything is looking good right now, but it’s a mental game and 3.1 miles is 3.1 miles.”
As for Chapa, he is confident that more success is possible for him during his senior campaign.
Like most runners, he is hoping to end the season at the state meet in San Antonio, but knows will take it one race at a time.
“I’m motivated a lot and I need to put my name out there to show that I have what it takes,” Chapa said. “My goals are to make it to state, but i need to focus first on district and not count my chickens before they hatch. I’m trying to run with confidence and give it my best.”