We Salute Lilyan Rodriguez, De Soto High School



Name: Lilyan Rodriguez
School: De Soto High School

Q: What does your training look like right now given the current situation?
A: Since I just got back from Florida I'm on total lock down but I do cross training and  abs until I can go outside again.

Q: What are you doing to stay busy other than run right now?
A: I currently am doing art and starting a new series on Netflix to keep my mind off of what's going on.

Q: What was your most memorable race/moment?
A: My most memorable moment had to be last year at the regional track meet when I finished first in the hundred meter dash and found out later that day that I had match school record. Crossing the finish line and making history for my school was one of the proudest moments of my life.

Q: What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career?
A:  One of the funniest moments and it happened was my sophomore year a week or two before regionals our team was working on blocks and one of my teammates as the sound went off she fell right to the ground. All of us had laughed and I made a comment about how could you ever do that and next thing you know when it came to be my turn the exact same happened to me.

Q: Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
A: I think my biggest competition is myself making sure that I can focus on my goals and keep out of my head. I've always had anxiety and I always have to trust the training and know what I've done is working.

Q: What was your greatest accomplishment?
A: My greatest accomplishment had to have been making it to state individually in the 100m dash of my junior year.

Q: If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
A: I really don't have anything major I would like to change other than maybe requesting to get more challenging workouts in.

Q: What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
A: My junior year I got hurt early in the season and was out for awhile and took a lot of time to recover. After weeks doctors offices, PT, and support from my friends I got through it. I ended up coming back stronger than ever and achieving all the goals I made that season.

Q: What will you miss the most?
A: The feeling of walking off the track and celebrating with my teammates win or lose.

Q: What advice would you give to younger athletes?
A: Know that what you put in is what you get out is a very real thing and effort shows through in your running.

Q: What kind of an impact has your coach had on you and your team?
A: over the past years I've had multiple coaches due to job changes but my coaches have always pushed me to be the best athlete and made sure even when I felt unsure about something that I could do it and they knew that I had the ability to do so.

Q: What are your college plans?
A: I got accepted into Baker University where I will be majoring in Elementary education. I was also fortunate to get an athletic scholarship for there Track & Field program.

Q: Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
A: I would say thank you to my parents and my coaches for believing in me and pushing me to be the athlete they know I can be.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
A:

Q: Favorite Meal?
A: Sushi

Q: If you could be any animal what would you choose? and why?
A: Horse because of how strong and compassionate they are.

Q: Your favorite superhero?
A: Superman for doing what was right for the greater good of the world and understand what he must do.