We Salute Isaac Oquendo, Campus High




Name: Isaac Oquendo


School: Campus High School


Q: What does your training look like right now given the current situation?


A: I am training the same as if there were track running 6-7 days a week.




Q: What are you doing to stay busy other than run right now?


A: I am spending a lot of time getting things ready for my lawn care business



Q: What was your most memorable race/moment?


A: My most memorable race was probably the rim rock invitational this year where heading into the race my goal was to just place top 25 and get a medal in the huge race. I got out to a fast start being in the top 5 through the mile in around 5:02ish and stayed strong throughout the race finishing 10th with a time of 16:44. This time was 1 min and 4 secs faster than my time of 17:48 the year before where I placed 96th. This also was the first time I ran a top 10 time in school history!




Q: What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career?


A: One of the funniest things I saw was watching Nathan Ragland literally pass the gator up the big hill at lake afton in a race my sophomore year. 




Q: Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?


A: One of my greatest rivals but also a great friend has been Dylan Stoltzfus of Wichita East. In addition Austin Fullerton of Eisenhower and Brett Schoenhoffer of Andover Central have been great competition. 




Q: What was your greatest accomplishment?


A: My greatest accomplishment has probably just been my overall improvement. In the 5k my first race as a freshman was 20:38 and I only got my time down to 20:06 that year. Then as a sophomore I got my time down to 19:02, as a junior 17:32, then finally senior year ran a time of 16:40. On the track I had ridiculous improvements in the 1600 and 3200 from sophomore to junior year going from 11:32 to 10:20 in the 3200 and 5:27 to 4:45 in the 1600.




Q: If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?


A:I would probably have more consistent training over the winter my freshman and sophomore year. I also probably would've gotten more sleep those years. 




Q: What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?


A: One of my obstacles was just the doubt around me my freshman year. I always talked about these big goals I had that I thought I could achieve by my senior year and barely anyone thought I'd be able to achieve them. Turns out I ended up achieving those goals.




Q: What will you miss the most?


A: I will definitely miss team dinners along with waking up early Saturday mornings just to get to hang out with my favorite teammates and race. 




Q: What advice would you give to younger athletes?


A: You only get out what you put in so if you desire to be a great runner it's important to have consistent training year round and also have proper recovery by rolling out, stretching, and getting good sleep. 




Q: What kind of an impact has your coach had on you and your team?


A: My coach and teammates have had a huge impact on me. My coach has taught me so many things about running and motivated me to get better everyday. My teammates push me in practice and making running so much funner.




Q: What are your college plans?


A: I will be attending Friends University next year and plan to be a 5k/10k specialist.




Q: Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?


A: I would like to say thank you to my coach, my parents, teammates, and my competition especially the other runners I've become hood friends with. All of them have made me a better runner.




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


A: Um I love running




Q: Favorite Meal?


A: A grilled chicken salad with fruit.