Track and Field: The Love for Running

Diego Martinez and Xenia Pena
March 19, 2019

Speed, technique, and endurance on the track has united those who enjoy sports. The constant training, discipline, and attention to physical health are costs many are willing to pay. At Downey High, it is no different as students in track and field dedicate time and effort to participate in track.

Student Hector Garcia, 10, has enjoyed competition and running from a young age. His love for racing and winning against peers has influenced him to join the track team at Downey High. Garcia’s pursuit of becoming a professional runner stems from his dedication to a promise he made to a childhood friend.

“I remember all those years ago when I would race with my friend, I promised him I would go pro,” Garcia stated. “Joining the track team has surely helped me surpass personal goals and I’m keeping that promise to my friend.”

Students clinging on to promises is not the only motivation many have in track. Junior Katia Arriaga enjoys the thrill and excitement in races. She dedicates her time and energy to track in order to be united with teammates and enjoy the thrill of racing.

“The friendships and family bonds are what keep me going in this sport,” Arriaga stated. “Knowing that not only my friends keep me going, but that I also enjoy running, is a blessing.”

Arriaga manages her time in track with school by keeping a clear head throughout the day. Similarly, sophomore Andrew Henriquez explains that even the biggest obstacles in track, such as injuries, and rigorous training, are not enough to hold him back. School work gets in the way of regular practices, but he manages. Henriquez’s passion for sports has never let him down.

“Honestly the time management is one of the hardest part, but I think anyone can [handle it],” Henriquez stated. “The amount of friends, experience, and fun you’ll have is enough to satisfy you to keep going.”

The dedication, promise, and love these runners have for track catalyzes their success and perseverance through the obstacles.

About the Writers

Diego Martinez, Editor in Chief

Former Copy Editor, Diego Martinez, 12, has been on The Downey Legend staff for the past 2 years and is going into his first as Co-Editor in Chief. Outside of the classroom Martinez enjoys listening to various music genres, learning and composing on his guitar, and writing on the side. Although undecided of his college major, Martinez aims to continue to express his creative side by one day recording his own music and living off his art in music and writing.

As someone who loves to showcase his thoughts through creative expression, Martinez believes that we can use our own struggles to create art. “I think the thought process that I like to keep is that life is uncertain to the point where we lose trust in ourselves and begin to doubt the ability to slay our own dragons,” Martinez stated. “It took me more than just a small while to realize that we can always smile at our own shadow, our own subconscious traits that shackle us, and write down every small aspect that forms our very soul - and make art with it.”

Xenia Pena, Photographer

Determined to continue her photography career after high school, senior Xenia Pena pursues photography in the newspaper and yearbook staff. “I like photography because I can capture moments that I can look back on in the future,” Pena said. “I like to show my creativity side through photography.”

The first time I talked to Xenia was when she came up to me and told me how much she loved my pictures. I had never really talked to her prior to that so when it happened, it made me feel really good about my work. Talking to her was really nice because she was very understanding of my idea behind the pictures. Ever since then I knew if I needed an opinion on any new ideas, I could go to her. I don’t really think she knows this but seeing her work pushed me to try new ideas in photography. She steps out of her comfort zone and isn’t afraid to face a new challenge. Her love for photography is so big that she will be majoring in photojournalism at San Francisco State University.

-Eliza Vargas