Hard work pays off for Walden Grove sophomore Riley Amarillas
SAHUARITA, Ariz. — A Q&A with Riley Amarillas who is a cross country and track and field runner at Walden Grove High School.
Name: Riley Amarillas
Age: 16
Sport: Cross Country, Track and Field
Sports participated in: Soccer and Club Soccer
Years in current sport: 2
Team/s: Walden Grove High School and RSL Soccer Club
Grade/Year: Sophomore
What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?
Riley Amarillas: My personal goal is to place top 5 at the state cross country meet next year and also place high and set personal records in my track and field running events this year and during my upcoming junior and senior years. My dream is also to earn a D1 scholarship in Track and Field.
What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Amarillas: The biggest challenge is continuing to push oneself through tough workouts over an entire season. I put the workouts in perspective, have fun in the sport, and know that the hard work will definitely
pay off.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Amarillas: The best advice was to be a good student, a team player, a great teammate, and a good person.
What do you love about your sport?
Amarillas: I love the positivity that radiates around me from my teammates, coaches, and fellow runners and I also love being able to see myself improve.
Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?
Amarillas: I like to get a good stretch in, get advice from my teammates and coach before my races, and set a great game plan.
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Amarillas: I love to hang out with my family and friends and go on long hikes with my family.
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Amarillas: Being a part of a team has taught me what being a leader is like and how to be the best version of myself.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor?
Amarillas: To always believe in myself and trust myself in a race.
Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.
Amarillas: During a few early races in track last year, I started the race too fast. In those races, I exerted too much of myself early and did not do so well. In subsequent races, I learned to listen and trust my track coach 鈥� Coach Blanco, trust the system, and execute the game plan. This helped me win or place high in those events.
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.