Summer Interview Series: Installment Three

Today, we have an interview with returning lady Warrior Liz LaMadrid, native of Kapa'a, Hawai'i. Liz was a freshman this past year, and now she's home for the summer soaking up the rays and running for days.

WXC: First question, what have you been doing with your summer?

L: Not a whole lot. I’ve only been home for a week, got sunburned and went surfing once. Mainly just running, that’s all my life consists of.

WXC: On a scale of 1-10, how much did you miss Hawai’i?

L: Eight. But now I miss Igor, Marina, Alyssa, and the team.

WXC: How has the running been?

L: Good. It’s so humid and I forgot how hot it was, so it was hard to get used to. My hip feels alright though, and it’s going good.

WXC: What are you loking forward to for xc?

L; All the new girls, meeting all the new people, JD and Reodore being the best team managers ever. Getting out there and seeing how we do.

WXC: What are your goals for xc?

L: Basically, I’d like to destroy all my past pr’s by a lot, at least by 3 minutes.

WXC: What did you enjoy about your first year at Stanislaus?

L: Mainly just the team, getting to know everyone, running, not being injured. Meeting friends was really fun.

WXC: Could you please give me a rundown of all your nicknames?

L: Liz, is the nickname now. Lizard…I don’t think anything else. http://derek4messiah.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/lizard.jpg

WXC: Liza-Beth?

L: Oh ya, there’s that one. I think that’s it though.

WXC: Have you had any shave ice yet? http://aceuhmanoa.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/matsumotos_shave_ice2.jpg

L: No, I haven’t. It sounds delicious though.

WXC: Is it weird not seeing so many haoles in Hawaii?

L: No.

WXC: Has your Spanish improved since living in California?

L: No, not at all.

WXC: If you were to compare your running with an animal, what animal would it be?

L: Some type of fish. Maybe a sea dragon.

WXC: Is that even real?

L: It is a real thing, I saw one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXdwwwtWsTA

WXC: Sure, did the magical mermaid fall in love with you after you saw the sea dragon?

L: No, but the dragon spit fire at me and that’s how I got burned, it wasn’t really the sun.

WXC: Fascinating. Final question, where did Blackbeard hide his hidden treasure?

L: Who’s Blackbeard?

WXC: Thanks for your time Liz. Tune in again soon to see more in-depth looks at the studs of the Warrior crew. (For Joey Nunes, due to the pirate reference... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GTyxhNTChQ)

Summer Interview Series: Installment Two

For our second Summer Interview, WXC has caught up with Patrick Twohy, Honolulu native, basketball aficionado, Kaiser High School Alum, and former cross country teammate of current Warrior Dawson Vorderbruegge.

WXC: Patrick, tell us about your running career?

PT: (laughs) My running career can be described as the TV show "Arrested Development." Short and sweet, and it ended much too early. I was the Michael Cera to Dawson Vorderbruegge's Michael Bateman.

WXC: How did you meet Dawson?

PT: I met Dawson, aka the "Four Minute Fabricator," in our guidance class in high school. In this class we would fly helicopters, play with night vision goggles, and have our teacher, Col. Shea teach us about military endeavors. This is when I learned Dawson Vorderbruegge said he could run about a four minute and something mile, and in my head I thought, "There's no way this clown can do that..." hence he was dubbed the 4-minute Fabricator. Let's flip the script here, Dawson, how did you come to know me?

WXC: I met Patrick in the same lousy guidance class, and thought he was a wannabe moke, because he hung out with all the big Hawaiian guys, and I thought he was a clown as well. However, despite the odds, Pat came out to XC practice one day to get in shape for basketball, and an eternal bond of friendship was formed. Patrick, what are you up to these days?

PT: In all irony, I am currently working for a Hawaiian lady. I am the token white boy in the workplace. I am also about to quit my job at Longs Drugs, where I have been gainfully employed for two years. And I'm taking college classes.

WXC: When are you transferring to Stanislaus?

PT: Never. Next question.

WXC: Why?

PT: I've learned that the 60-40 female to male ratio is the most misleading statistic in the United States of America.

WXC: Any last thoughts or comments on any current events?

PT: I met Mr. Jaydeep Bhatia, seems pretty cool for an Indian guy with a pizzeria. I manhandled both Dawson and JD in basketball, it was a hard fought battle, but in the end the best prevailed, both teams played hard. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrOH-KHxXg0 I'm still waiting for Duke to call me and offer that scholarship they promised.

WXC: Thanks Pat, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us. We'll see you shortly for another Summer Interview Series Installment.

Summer Interview Series: Installment One

It's summer, and to keep you off facebook and thinking about running, we here at the Official Blog of Warrior XC and Distance have decided to start the Annual Summer Interview Series. This year, we've decided to make it a more interactive process, so we've inserted some video links for your viewing pleasure. It will make the most sense to watch them immediately after you read the link. Our first interview was conducted at our satellite office in Honolulu, Hawai'i, and was with returning Junior, Jaydeep Bhatia. Here's the 'view...

WXC: Jaydeep, what have you been up to this summer?

JD: I've been making pizzas, running, sometimes doing both at the same time, which proves difficult at times. Pepperoni gets everywhere. (Subject to own interpretation) That's rich, just like our sauce.

WXC: How has your training been?

JD: A lot better than last year. I've been stepping it up. I've been trying to have fun with it, running at night. Running. Jumping. Hurdling. Sleeping. No, wait, I don't sleep, you sleep, I'm out being vigilant... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ez9xiDsSX4

WXC: What are your goals for XC season?

JD: Get that sweet stinkin jersey. I might steal one if I don't make the team. Coach, you never heard that. Maybe you did, I could care less.

WXC: You really stepped up your studies at the end of last semester. What are your plans to attack the fall class semester?

JD: A combination of bribes, books, and coffee. Percentages of each not yet calculated. I'll probably do those calculations in some statistics class.

WXC: Are you travelling this summer?

JD: I really don't have any plans, just going to stay in Turlock, have a homey feel.

WXC: That's a blatant lie because I'm asking you these questions in Hawai'i. Your response?

JD: Is that where we are? I just woke up, I thought this was my house. I thought Turlock was flooded and palm trees grew everywhere. It doesn't matter anyway, we're all just in the matrix...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leEsN53mcLA

WXC: Speaking of movies, what summer movie release are you the most excited for?

JD: Eclipse. Next question.

WXC: Do you know how I know you are gay?

JD: I have femininely long eyelashes?

WXC: No, you are excited for Eclipse. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-LD0uztROw Regardless, let's move on. Describe yourself in three words?

JD: Giant. Walrus. Balls.

WXC: Interesting, any significance there?

JD: It's pretty self explanatory.

WXC: Sounds good. Any further comments before we wrap up this interview?

JD: I want the newcomers to know, that if I beat you at camp, I will not talk to you for the remainder of the year. Don't get beat by the team manager. And also, get on my level. Just kidding, best of luck guys, looking forward to a really fantastic year!

WXC: Thanks Jaydeep, next installment coming soon!

JD: Who are you talking to?

WXC: I thought i would just add that for effect.

JD: Gay effect.

WXC: You're in my house. Eating my food.

JD: Yah, you're welcome.

Check out Jaydeep's family-owned pizzeria, located in Lodi, CA. http://pizzamarketlodi.com/

2010 Outdoor Track Recap

Welcome to summer everyone. It's hot, it's sunshiney, it's time to run. After a great track season, it is time once again to start training for XC. But before we delve into that, let's reflect some of the highlights of this track season:

Provisionals were hit in the 1500 by Rubye and Denali Foldager, and in the Steeplechase by Denali, who ended up going to Nationals and placing 16th, a great showing for a true sophomore in her first year attempting the chase. Terrance Ellis also hit a provisional of 1:52 in the 800 at the CCAA Championship meet, as well as running a leg of the provisional qualifying 4x4 team.

K-Bone Dhaliwal had a frustrating but growing year. He was a little behind early in the year, and then got injured with a metatarsal strain halfway through the year. Even though he didn't have as productive a year on the track as he hoped, he still grew and learned a lot for the future.

Tyler Thiele battled minor injuries all year, but still got continually better at the steeplechase. His form and strength improved steadily throughout the season. His brother Palmer had to fight through a hip strain that essentially ended his season early, but he cross trained hard and still made it to CCAA's.

Shane Brookshire had the biggest weekend of his life to cap off his tremendous collegiate career. The "Farewell Tour" took place at CCAA's this year, where Shane ran the 800, 1500, 5000, and 1000, for a whopping total of over 11 miles of racing! He pr'd in the 800 with a 1:58, and raced hard in the other races for an impressive showing that astounded athletes and coaches in attendance. May the Legacy of Redneck live on.

The freshmen women's contingent of Al Face, Liz, and Marina all ran well in the 1500 this year, posting times in the low 5's, with Marina nearly breaking the 5 minute mark on several occasions. Look for these girls to compete well on the conference stage in the coming years. Lindsay Garcia really stepped it up and ran great in the 5k. Andrea Johnson had several impressive races at the 5k and 1500 distances, running 18:45 at the SFSU Distance Carnival.

Another great moment came when JaDeePoo ran a 2:54 marathon at the inaugural Modesto Marathon, where he got 2nd overall and qualified for the 2011 Boston Marathon! Hats off to JD, who trained his hard workouts alone most of the year, completing such beast workouts as 20x400 at 75 on a minute rest, and running 2-4 mile tempos after track workouts. JD is the king of the road, and has a definite future in marafumming.

Jose Morales ran a fantastic 15:03 this year in the 5k, and raced well every time he put on a uniform. Joey Nunes redshirted, and bumped up to the 10k, running an impressive first track 10k in 31:50 at the Twilight meet in May. Dawson Vord also redshirted, and bumped down to the 1500/800, running pr's of 3:54 and 1:54. April Montgomery had a fantastic year, running 2:12 in the 800, and winning a lot of competitive races in her first post-collegiate year.

Overall, it was a great year for CSUS distance running, with the program establishing itself as a contender in the middle distances, and in the steeplechase. The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades.