Months of training paid off for Hays Rebel senior Gabby Bosquez Saturday at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.
In only her second year of competing in cross country, Bosquez completed her second straight run at the UIL state meet.
Following a mantra of “no regrets,” Bosquez felt she left everything on the course in her final high school cross country race.
“I’m proud of myself. I just started last year, and I didn’t expect to go as far as I did,” Bosquez said. “It’s definitely helped me in life. This sport isn’t about running. I’ve learned a lot of life lessons.”
Tracy Hightower, Hays cross country head coach, said the challenge for Bosquez in reaching state for a second straight year was overcoming mental hurdles, rather than physical ones.
But she felt Bosquez, who finished the course in 19:17.07, is a “tough-minded kid” and didn’t allow the mental blocks to faze her, especially being a newcomer to the sport.
“That speaks volumes to her athleticism and willingness to try something new and to own new skills and perform the day of the competition,” Hightower said.
Success on Saturday was forged well before Bosquez hit the course. Bosquez said she somewhat knew what to expect after running the Old Settlers course three times in the past.
She also understood how competitive the field could be at the state meet. Bosquez gained a first-hand knowledge about the blistering pace of the state’s best last season.
For Hightower, Bosquez’s success is a microcosm of the overall growth of the Hays High cross country program. Over the past four years, Hays has sent at least one competitor to run at state every year.
Hightower said the Rebel program, both on the boys and girls sides, is starting to “digest what it takes to be one of the top programs in the state.”
It has also bolstered many students to kick start preparation outside of the regular season. The cohesiveness of the group has also ushered success.
“They’re a very cohesive unit and they went in with a lot of goals,” Hightower said. “When the season progressed, they realized they were attaining those goals.”
The sport itself has also opened new avenues for Bosquez.
“It’s definitely made me a different person,” Bosquez said. “It’s opened me up a lot and made me more confident.”
