By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
SANTA ROSA — Rain started pouring just before Victoria Olivarez’s big moment Wednesday, but the Santa Rosa thrower didn’t let the weather dampen her spirits.
Olivarez signed her intent to compete in the shot put and discus for the Central Methodist University track & field team at The Concession Stand with family and her longtime coaches present. The self-proclaimed “tomboy” said she didn’t want to cry but felt a mix of emotions.
“I’m excited, a bit emotional, but I’m a strong person,” Olivarez said. “It’s a great blessing (getting to compete in college athletics.) Hopefully I get to break records, make my own records, and I’m excited to learn from the coaches and upperclassmen and everyone else on the team.”
Santa Rosa girls track & field coach Carmen De Leon and throwing coach Raul Ochoa both worked with Olivarez throughout her career, from seventh grade to senior year. They saw her overcome injuries and fully commit to being her best, which Olivarez achieved in her craft.
“Her sophomore year, she ranked 12th in the state (in discus.) Her junior year she had an injury. This was going to be her year, but that’s when COVID-19 hit,” Ochoa said. “What she’s done from seventh grade on to now, every year has been an improvement, and she’s grown leaps and bounds. She led our region her sophomore year and again this year, she got into the top 10 overall in the state (in discus). It was unfortunate (that her season was cut short), but on the same token she gets to move forward.”
Olivarez was upset that the coronavirus pandemic abruptly ended her senior season and her run at the state meet, but she’s excited to begin her college career in Fayette, Mo., with the Eagles. She said it took some convincing to get her parents on board with a big move, but just like they supported her at every meet, they got behind this decision, too.
Central Methodist recruiter and former Santa Rosa teacher/coach Amos Salas, who has known Olivarez and her family since she was in third grade, aided with the recruitment process. The belief from many coaches and other supporters in the small community is an extra boost to Olivarez’s confidence as she prepares for the next chapter of life.
“It’s a great accomplishment for her, because all we have to do is guide her through the things she wants to do and she just excels at being a hard worker,” De Leon said. “It’s a great thing when you have kids that just don’t want to quit, and Victoria’s one of those kids. She wants to show people what she can do. She chose to go to a school that’s going to help her, and that’s a great thing.”
Olivarez will be studying exercise science and has plans to pursue a doctorate. She said experiencing physical therapy and having people help her back from injuries inspired her to want to help others.
She plans to come home during breaks and encourage future Warriors to challenge themselves in sports, just like she did. Olivarez participated in volleyball and powerlifting along with track & field during her time at Santa Rosa. She said high school athletics taught her a lot about discipline, commitment and accepting criticism, and she wants to use those lessons to excel in college and inspire young children from her hometown.
“I know my (Warriors) coaches are getting older, so I want to come back and help other kids as much as they helped me,” Olivarez said.