Summer Interview Series: Installment Eight

This time WXC had a chat with Brandon Beccera (pronounced 'buh-sehr-uh') Brandon is a newcomer to Stanislaus, a transfer from the College of San Mateo, in the Yay.

WXC: How has your training been this summer?

BB: My training has been very good. I'd say 8.5 out of ten. I had a slight injury in June, but other than that it's been good.

WXC: Give us the running history of Brandon Beccera?

BB: I started running in 2nd Grade. I had asthma growing up, and my mom thought this would be the best way to strenghthen my lungs. I started competitively in 8th grade, and ran the mile, and that inspired me to keep going. Then I ran for Hillsdale High School, in San Mateo. My freshman year, I won conference finals for freshmen XC, at Crystal Springs. My sophomore year, I won track MVP for frosh-soph. I placed third in the mile and fourth in the two-mile at conference that year. Junior year I won MVP for Varsity Cross, and Senior year I had an injury, but as a team we made it Central Coast Sections. I went to the College of San Mateo. My first XC season we made it to states as a team. My sophomore year, I made it as an individual to states, but placed pretty bad. In track, my first year I was more of a long distance runner. I wasn't in great shape because I was sick over winter. I did the 5k and 10k. My times were slow, but I made states for the 10k because a lot of people dropped out. I ran a 10k in 110 degree weather, it was horrible, all the Southern Cal guys burned all the Northern Cal guys. My sophomore in track, I was concentrating on the 10k. I ran a couple shorter races and did well, so my coach wanted me to focus on the 1500. I won conference in the 1500, ran a 3:58. I qualified for states, and it was so hot they made me sit in the press box to stay cool. I ran like crap though, a 4:07, but I was happy I qualified for states. And right now I'm training for Stanislaus.

WXC: How did hear about Stanislaus?

BB: My coach and I were talking last spring, and he was asking if I wanted to run still, and he gave me some coaches to talk to. I talked to Chico, Humboldt, and Stanislaus, and Coach Taylor seemed like the best coach, the most dedicated to her athletes, and I liked her philosophy. Also I ran a 1500 at American River College, and there was a 3-way tie for first between me, Joey Nunes, and a Chico guy. And Joey was really cool, really outgoing, he came up and talked to me after the race. It made me want to be on a team with guys like that on it. So I chose Stanislaus.

WXC: What are your interests off the track?

BB: I'm a criminal justice major, I want to be a police officer, so I think law enforcement is really cool. I play guitar. I can't think of much else, haha.

WXC: What are your goals for XC this year?

BB: I want to help the team as much as I can. I want to pr every race. I want to make sure our team makes our goals, whether that be Nationals or whatever. Whatever it takes to get there, I'll do it. Any extra work, I'll do it. I want the team to succeed.

WXC: Name one interesting fact about yourself, that not everybody knows?

BB: I love my family, and family always comes first to me.

WXC: Anything else you wish to say?

BB: Uhh, I guess that Steve Prefontaine is my favorite athlete. I've got a really cool poster at home with the "pure guts" quote on it, I guess that's it.