With the 2014 cross country season just around the corner it's time to start our "Watch List" highlighting the top returners. Senior Kyra Lopez from Desert Vista is our next Watch List athlete.
As the season starts we will continue to add athletes to the list.
Keep checking back as we highlight some of Arizona's best. Good luck to everyone - see you on the course!!
Journal Questions:
Name: Kyra (Kyky) Lopez (Kyra's Milesplit Profile)
High School: Desert Vista
Year of Graduation: 2015
Best time in a 5K and a 3 Mile Race:
5k: 18:44
When did you get started as a running:
Freshman year track season
Which meets will you be running this year?
Woodbridge, Nike Pre Nationals, Twilight, Nike Cross Region, among our sectionals and city meet (I’m unfamiliar with this districts meets!)
What are your goals for the upcoming track season? What do you look forward to the most?
I have very lofty goals for the upcoming season with my new school (yes, I moved) and with my new team. Most of my goals are team oriented, though; I have a few individual goals such as grabbing a spot in the top 5 at state, which I missed last year (3 spots, come on!). I want our team to go to NXN so badly and I would love to help them get there—this is my main goal. I just want to contribute to my team as much as possible; I want to be the best I can possibly be for them.
How is your summer training going? Your favorite workout? What kind of summer mileage do you run?
My summer training is very different from previous years, not that that is bad! Summer training has been a blast and I think this is definitely my favorite summer (also the most beneficial!). Though I was new I was quickly taken in (shout out to Mandy Davis) and treated like part of the team. My favorite workout was 7 mile repeats! That workout was the most grueling workout and my best workout I’ve ever had. Can’t say my stomach agreed at the end but I built a lot of mental toughness and aerobic capabilities. My summer mileage? It’s hard to say since we go by minutes but in the beginning we started VERY conservative (especially since I was getting over a cold) but we quickly built it in the second week and before I knew it we were running about 50 miles+ a week.
Do you cross train (lift, swim, bike etc)?
Oooh yes! Swimming, lifting, biking, aqua jogging, you name it! This may be my favorite part (other than the running).
Do you follow any kind of nutrition program or watch what you eat?
Not much of a nutrition program but dietary supplements and my parents are a stickler for healthy foods. I avoid anything bad other than on special occasions (just ask Messer about his Saturday Night treats!)
Have you ever been injured?
Who hasn’t? Yes, I have been injured several times from my hips to my heels. I have very flexible ankles that like to roll but I call them super ankles because they always bounce back.
So far in your high school career, what is your favorite cross country race or cross country memory?
I’d have to say camp this year in Flagstaff. I’ve never met a more dedicated team not only to running but also to each other. I am blessed to be a part of this team and being able to be there, by far my most precious memory. Thank you to my girls!
What is the best part of running?
The best part of running are the obstacles. Though it makes it the most difficult aspect it teaches what it means to be human, honestly. It teaches you to be strong not only physically but also mentally. To mentally not give up and push past your weaknesses and do something incredible. I had the privilege to watch “The Four Minute Mile” with my Dad and something the coach tells the athlete is, “When you push past that boundary that you never thought you could, when you run until you collapse and you physically can take no more- it’s beautiful.” I believe this. Running is beautiful.
Out of all your running accomplishments so far, which stands out the most?
What stands out is really my 1600 race at Sun Angel junior year. I did not have the year or training or the most ideal off-season, but I found something within myself to will myself to do what I did that day. People will choose their best race, the one they ran the fastest but that’s not the case for me. This is my cherished accomplishment because I didn’t have the training behind me to run my times but I willed something inside me that I didn’t know I had and for that, I am proud.
When you are not running what do you like to do?
I love my family with all my heart so I would have to say hanging out with them or drawing. I like to read, too, so that’s normally what you can find me doing.
How have your coaches influenced you overall?
Coach Jeff Messer, Coach Jones, Coach Bucci, Coach C, and the many coaches that I had the privilege of working with this summer have been extremely influential. Coach Messer gives speeches that make the hair rise on your neck and believed in me before I believed in myself. Coach Jones is like a mom (and is one) but she always looks after me and makes sure I’m not stressing myself too much. Coach Bucci is the nicest man ever and really looks after us, especially helping us prevent injuries. Coach C is so inspirational and pushes us to our limit in the weight room; he also sings great songs on our long runs.
Shout outs?
Haley Wolff, a freshman whose gonna knock your socks off! I love you so much little Wolff!
Quick 6:
Favorite Post-race Meal?
Cinnamon rolls at Ikea (trust me)
Kind of shoes you train in?
Brooks Adrenaline (what else?!)
Flat course or hills?
Bring on the hills!!
Facebook or Twitter?
Twitter @lopez_kyky
Hot or cold weather?
Cold-the colder, the better!
Favorite song at the moment?
Superheroes by The Script
Oceans (where my feet may fail) by Hillsong United
Young Volcanoes by Fall Out Boy