FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
It might have taken almost 20 years but the La Villa track team is sending some runners back to the UIL state meet in Austin. Robbie Sue Espericueta and Refugio Montelongo will both be competing in at 800-meter run, and both are set to compete on Saturday at 5:20 p.m.
While the Cardinals have sent some athletes in the field events to the state competition in the not-so-distance past, it’s been since the mid 90s that La Villa has had any runners to compete at the championship level. And while both fell short of qualifying last season, La Villa coach Joseph Garcia is confident his athletes got what it takes to succeed in Austin.
“These two athletes have a tremendous work ethic,” said Coach Garcia. “They may not like all the workouts but they’re going to do what ever it takes to win up at state. They see that they are capable of competing with the other schools within the state and that is exactly what drives them to push even further.”
The Valley Morning Star had a chance to catch up to the 800-meter duo and get to know them a little bit better.
Q: What are your expectations heading to the state meet?
ROBBIE: My expectations heading to state is to run my race and give it my all! I’m going after the state title.
Q: What is the most important thing you think you need to do in your race?
ROBBIE: Most important thing I need to do is run MY race and listen to my coaches.
Q: Have you received any advice from any past state participants?
ROBBIE: The only advice I have received aside from my current coaches and parents was from Coach Martinez, he told me to go out there at give it my best, don’t think negative and to run my race.
Q: What would it mean to you to earn a medal?
ROBBIE: Earning a metal is everything I ever wanted and it shows that working hard does pay off. And I want to bring a state title to my home town.
Q: What has been your motivation this season?
ROBBIE: Last year was heart breaking after not qualifying for state and missing it by just one. However the heartache inspired me to push and work hard. Also, and most importantly Coach Garcia has been the greatest asset to my performance. While he is tough on me and cuts me no slack, I know that he believes in me and wants to help me reach my goals.
REFUGIO:
Q: You have had some experience in state cross country, has that experience helped you in track this season?
REFUGIO: Yes, competing at state means you’re competing at the highest level where everyone has the same goals and mentality. For many it’s perhaps the last race of the season so everyone’s on the line getting ready to run their hearts out. It motivates me and tames the butterflies knowing I’ve competed at this level before.
Q: What do you think is the reason you have done well this season?
REFUGIO: Training these past few months has been very intense being I started the season off a bit late. My coach, Coach Garcia, gave me certain goals and times to reach in different time periods. He told me not to worry about running crazy times at the beginning of the season, he wanted me to start peaking at around this time and the plan has worked out perfectly. He showed me last years state times to meet in order to achieve the goal of making it and trying to win it.
Q: What has motivated you this season?
REFUGIO: My motivation has been that this is my senior year and the past 2 years I’ve come up short at regionals. Being that I’ve been to state for cross country for three straight years, the expectations have been very high for my community, family, friends, and myself. They have been a great support the past years, so making them proud is something I hope to do. My parents have been there for me through every step of the way and have never missed an event of mine so leaving it all on the track is going to be my goal for my last track meet of my high school career.
Q: What is the toughest thing that you have had to overcome, and how did you do it?
REFUGIO: I started off the season 3 track meets behind most runners because of basketball. After cross country I had put up a lot of weight because I needed to be stronger for basketball but it’s been a struggle dropping weight to be the runner I need to be. Keeping a diet and running extra miles has helped me shed some unnecessary weight.
Q: Do you have any athletes that inspire you in your athletic career?
REFUGIO: My greatest inspiration has been my summer trainer, Coach Basilio Mendoza. When I first met him, he was such and humble and knowledgeable person. Right before we kicked off summer workouts, he invited me to Mcfarland, California to meet some of the greatest runners in the history of the sport, Thomas Valles and Johnny Samaniego, which completely changed my view of the sport. Coach Mendoza instilled a work ethic in me that taught that as long as my heart and mind is in the sport you can only get better.