DeSoto senior Angel Vasquez has been off to a dominating senior campaign placing 3rd at the Greg Wilson Classic (behind MO #2 and 5 ranked runners) and then winning the Wamego and Bonner Springs Invitational. Last weekend at Bonner Springs Vasquez ran a state-leading 15:34 to blow away the field winning by 42 seconds. Vasquez also broke the DeSoto school record at Bonner Springs, formerly held by Derek Tate, who eventually went on to run for Oklahoma State. All of this helped Angel become the #1 ranked runner in our Power Rankings. Look out for Angel this Saturday at Rim Rock in the Gold Race as he takes on some of the best runners in the Midwest.
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Kansas MileSplit - Angel, congratulations on your win last week at the Bonner Springs Invitational. You blew away the competition winning by 42 seconds. Talk to us about how the race played out.
Angel Vasquez - My goals in the race were to PR, break our school record, and help my team win the meet. I tried to get out fast and focus in the middle to not let up. When it got tough, I focused on my goals for the race and used that as motivation to not let up. My coach and I talked about trusting my training. That helped a lot in the late part of the race. I really killed the hills!! I was pretty pleased with the race. I was able to reach my goals.
KM - After a third place finish to some of the top ranked runners in Missouri you have been looking great winning two straight meets running 16:04 and then a state-leading 15:34. How did your summer training go and how has your training this year gone?
AV - The training was pretty tough. I did my best to keep it consistent as possible. I tried to increase my mileage this summer and this season. I have gotten my long run to a personal best and I think that is helping a lot. I am running a lot more miles than I have before. Plus, the entire team has increased their miles, so it is fun to spend that time training with them every day.
KM - You had a freshman (Luis Murillo) on your team blast out a 16:16 to place second at Bonner Springs. What has it been like to have him join the team?
AV - Pretty nice. It helps give us motivation to help him do well. It is pretty sweet to see him finish at the top. It has been fun to see him improve in workouts. We knew he was pretty good, but he has even surprised us with how well he has done. He fit in really well with the group.
KM - What has been your favorite high school race thus far?
AV - Our meet last year at Lake Lenexa was pretty fun. At one point our top 5 guys were running together. We were able to go 1, 2, 3 and we ran together at the finish. My teammate Diego Sanchez won. It was cool to see him get the victory and some recognition for being a great runner. I have enjoyed running against some of the great runners in the area like Tony Weiss and Brian Wright from Baldwin and chasing Evan Landes of Mulvane. I have enjoyed getting to make friends with the people I race against.
KM - As a senior what are your goals for your last high school cross country and track seasons?
AV - Keep making memories with my teammates, set some new school records, and enjoy the time with my teammates and friends. I hope that our team has success this year and that helps next year’s team be successful as well. I am thankful that my coach has believed in me all this time and given me a chance to achieve big things this season. He has pushed me when things got hard.
KM – Thank you and best of luck on the rest of your season, Angel!