By Moses Leos III.
Two Hays High cross country athletes reached the pinnacle of success at the UIL level.
Senior Esteban Villalpando and sophomore Esmi Fuentes advanced to state by finishing in the top ten out of 200 runners at Saturday’s region meet in San Antonio.
Villalpando finished in fifth, with a time of 15:14, while Fuentes completed the course in eighth place with a time of 18:13.
Their finishes were the culmination of hard work. Last season, both narrowly missed making state, with Villalpando finishing 24th, while Fuentes was 11th, just one spot shy of advancing.
For Villalpando, the trip towards state was one of change, as he and other upperclassmen saw Matt Wilke take over as head coach of the cross country team.
It was tough at first, as Wilke’s training methods focused on time rather than distance, which was the system former coach Cliff Buckley used.
While the team enjoyed Buckley’s system, they have adapted to Wilke’s mentality.
“It was difficult at first, but we got through it,” Villalpando said.
Though he now traverses the open fields and grassy plains of cross country, Villalpando began his career on the track in middle school.
He tried out for sprints, but did not make the cut. Instead, he found success running the 800 meter. His love of distance running took off.
Today, the senior trains solely for distance events, both in cross country and in track and field, where he competes in the one and two mile.
Villalpando undergoes vastly different training for both. He said the variable distances in cross country make it a mentally tough sport. Track is finite, as distances are set, allowing for runners to focus on the physical aspect of things.
Yet, he and his teammates ready themselves much the same way: longer 6 to 8 mile runs in the summer, shorter, sprint-oriented distances during the season.
As one of the top cross country runners at Hays, he understands the great amount of responsibility, both as a leader and as one of the fastest in the region.
“It’s a lot of responsibility,” he said. “You have to give everything you’ve got every day.”
Villalpando now eyes finishing in the top 10 at state. He hopes to “stay in touch with the leaders,” then make a push at the end to possibly medal.
Fuentes also eyes earning a medal at state. Her journey began in 2007, when she was asked to take part in a 5K. Fuentes won the event, beginning her love of running.
She started her long distance career in seventh grade. When she was a freshman, Buckley asked Fuentes to join the cross country team.
Last season, Fuentes performed well, nearly making it to the state meet.
Her desire to improve was paramount. She set goals during the year which helped fuel her qualifying trek.
“I would have been upset if I didn’t get better this year,” she said.
Training over the summer with a personal coach helped condition and prepare her for the cross country season and track season.
By the time cross country season rolled around, Fuentes was able to make an impact, reaching the region meet.
It was a challenge for her that went far beyond the conditions at the event. Fuentes went up against competitors who had two or more years of cross country experience.
Despite her youth, she was able to best the field, finishing eighth and bound for state.
“It was hard to qualify [for state]. I’ve only been running in cross country for two years,” Fuentes said. “I was pretty dead after the race. Once I got my medal, I felt good.”
She lauded the coaching efforts of Wilke, whose ability to push Fuentes helped her shave 1:20 off her personal record at region.
Fuentes now looks to make history and earn a medal at state. She understands hard work and heart will help accomplish that goal.
But she is also cognizant of her ability to succeed at such a young age.
“It feels pretty good as a sophomore to accomplish my goals,” Fuentes said.
The state meet will take place on Saturday at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock. Girls 4A is scheduled to run at 11:40 a.m., Boys 4A at 12:10 p.m.
