‘Die at the line’: XC/long distance Q&A

Thomas Darmodjo, 10

Sophomore Thomas Darmodjo joined the track and cross country teams at the end of July, going into his sophomore year. He hopes to make varsity after feeling like he wasted a lot of time not doing anything last year. Darmodjo advises those interested in running to think of it as a hobby so they never get tired of it.

Thomas Darmodjo '26

Q: Distance you run?. A: Probably the 1600-meter and the 3200-meter. Q: When did you start running? A: Maybe eighth grade. Q: Why did you start running? A: A lot of my friends were running, and it also just seemed like something fun to do. Q: What does running mean to you? A: It’s a sport to me. I've met a lot of people through it, and I think that's also really fun. Q: Did anyone inspire you? On the team? A: Brian Zhang because he's younger than me. Q: What motto or quote do you live by? A: Why bother, why not? It doesn't really matter what you do, [so] why not do it? Q: what is your favorite weird food combo? A: Lemonade and chicken nuggets from Chick-fil-A. Q: what is something you do before a race? A: Listen to music. Q: what’s your favorite childhood cartoon? A: Adventure Time. Q: who’s your favorite professional athlete? A: Jeremy Lin. He used to play in the NBA, but I like him because he inspired a whole generation of Asian athletes.

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Esaam Zaman, 11: JV

Junior Esaam Zaman joined the cross country and track teams this year after transferring from Carnegie Vanguard High School where he won two events at districts. He is currently running for the JV boys team due to transfer rules that state he must be on the JV team for a year before making varsity. Zaman is most proud of inspiring his younger teammates and providing transportation to practices and meets as one of the oldest members on the team.

Esaam Zaman '25

Q: Distance you run?. A: The 800-meter and the 1600-meter primarily. Q: When did you start running? A: I ran cross country in eighth grade just to stay fit. I really only started trying running sophomore year. Q: Why did you start running? A: I used to play soccer [but] then I hurt my knees, so I started running track. Q: What does running mean to you? A: I want to [continue] doing a sport. I like being on a team, and I like winning, like self improvement. Q: Did anyone inspire you? On the team? A: Zain Hamdani. He was a pretty big role model I'd say for me for running. Q: What motto or quote do you live by? A: Die at the line. Don't die here, die in like five minutes. Just finish. Just get there. Q: what is your favorite weird food combo? A: When I was little, I liked chicken nuggets with jam. Q: what is something you do before a race? A: I say a little prayer to stay healthy [and] make sure everyone else in the race stays healthy as well. Q: what’s your favorite childhood cartoon? A: Phineas and Ferb Q: who’s your favorite professional athlete? A: Cristiano Ronaldo

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Jacob Lee, 11: Varsity

Varsity runner junior Jacob Lee has been on the track and cross country teams for three years. His biggest achievement is getting 7th place at districts last year. Lee contributes a positive attitude to the team by keeping people awake at early morning practices. Despite his accomplishments, Lee views himself as truly humble under God.

Jacob Lee '25

Q: Distance you run? A: For cross country, [the] mile, two mile [and] 5K. Q: When did you start running? A: I started running a little bit in middle school. I was never that good, and then I started actually running freshman year. Q: Why did you start running? A: I wasn't really good at any skill sports, so I just started running. Q: What does running mean to you? A: It means a lot to me. It takes a big chunk out of my everyday life. Q: Did anyone inspire you? On the team? A: I'm still inspired by Zain [and] Dylan. They were juniors and seniors when I was a freshman. Q: What motto or quote do you live by? A: It's what you make it, so the work that you put in is what you're gonna get out of it. Q: what is your favorite weird food combo? A: I like the school paninis. Q: what is something you do before a race? A: [I] usually pray. I think a lot of people try to like, get excited or pumped, [but] I try to relax. Q: what’s your favorite childhood cartoon? A: Cars 2 Q: who’s your favorite professional athlete? A: This guy who just graduated from Stanford, his name is Charles Hicks. He runs cross country.

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Benjamin Kotlyar, 9: JV

Freshman Benjamin Kotlyar runs for the JV boys cross country and track teams. He joined the cross country team in May of 2023 and joined the track team right after the cross country season ended. For Kotlyar, one difference between cross country and track is that cross country is like getting ready for a whole story that is going to take place, while a lot of what happens in track takes place before races.

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Benjamin Kotlyar '27

Q: Distance you run?. A: In track, I'm transitioning to sprinting. Q: When did you start running? A: After my seventh grade cross country season when I noticed the value in it and how fun I was actually having. Q: Why did you start running? A: A lot of my friends were really athletic. They were going out doing all these sports, and it just really inspired me. Q: What does running mean to you? A: Running is pretty valuable to me. If anybody says [they’re] a runner, you can tell how much dedication they bring and how much they value things. Q: Did anyone inspire you? On the team? A: Brian Zhang and Esaam Zaman. Brian inspires [me] because he's a varsity freshman. Esaam always has a good attitude. Q: What motto or quote do you live by? A: It's something one of my middle school coaches said, to run through the line. Q: what is your favorite weird food combo? A: Everyone hates me for this, I like ketchup and rice. Q: what is something you do before a race? A: Usually the night before, I eat a whole bunch of food, and then I barely eat anything in the morning. Right before the race, I like to just look around and envision myself going through the course. Q: what’s your favorite childhood cartoon? A: Backyardigans Q: who’s your favorite professional athlete? A: Su Bingtian from China. He was the first Asian elite sprinter, and he currently holds the fastest 60 meter sprint and the 100-meter.

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Brian Zhang, 9: Varsity

Varsity runner and freshman Brian Zhang has been on the cross country and track teams since entering high school. His goal is to break 19 minutes for a 5K as a personal record (PR). He broke his previous PR by 56 seconds during a meet at Nottingham Park. Zhang brings a competitive spirit to practice by racing his teammates.

Brian Zhang '27

Q: Distance you run?. A: I might get put in the 400-meter, 800-meter, mile or two mile. Q: When did you start running? A: I started running in sixth grade, but I hated it until like the end of seventh grade because it was tiring and it wasn't very fun. Q: Why did you start running? A: I needed money to buy this video game. My mom bribed me. It was $20 to just join a sports team, so it was between soccer and cross country. Q: What does running mean to you? A: It’s a way to get into a good college. It’s also a good way to improve myself. I used to [not] like it a lot because I got really tired, but after you build your endurance, 90% of it is just mental. Q: Did anyone inspire you? On the team? A: There's a YouTuber that I used to watch, his name's Nick Simmons. He's an Olympian [runner]. Q: What motto or quote do you live by? A: Nobody cares Q: what is your favorite weird food combo? A: I eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches without the jelly. Q: what is something you do before a race? A: I listen to Headlines by Drake and also try to sleep on the bus. Q: what’s your favorite childhood cartoon? A: Phineas and Ferb. Q: who’s your favorite professional athlete? A: Kevin Durant.

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Abrehet Sale, 11: Varsity

Having been on the varsity cross country and track teams for two years, junior Abrehet Sale’s biggest accomplishment has been breaking a PR of 13:25 minutes in the 3200 meter. Others on the team appreciate her humor and joy she brings when she attends practice. She views track as “a hamster running in a cage.”

Abrehet Sale '25

Q: Distance you run?. A: I run the 800, 1600 and 3200-meter. Q: When did you start running? A: I started running in general during seventh grade, around the pandemic Q: Why did you start running? A: I had to find something else to do instead of just staying around. Q: What does running mean to you? A: Running is a big part of me and my family and my background. Q: Did anyone inspire you? On the team? A: My uncle goes to the University of Texas at Tyler, he’s a go-getter. Q: What motto or quote do you live by? A: The pain that you're suffering now isn't as great as the joy that'll come once you're done. Q: what is your favorite weird food combo? A: Cereal and Orange juice Q: what is something you do before a race? A: I like to drink a lot more water than I usually do and give [myself] affirmations. Q: what’s your favorite childhood cartoon? A: Arthur Q: who’s your favorite professional athlete? A: Genzebe Dibaba, she’s Ethiopian and I’m East African. She’s a long distance runner, so I’m like ‘Okay, someone I can look up to.’

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Priscilla Figueroa, 11: JV

Junior Priscilla Figueroa has been a JV member of the girls cross country team since July of 2023. Figueroa feels that track is a bit boring compared to cross country, where there are different courses every meet. She views consistency as the key to running and advises others interested in running to start off slow and trust the process.

Priscilla Figueroa '25

Q: Distance you run?. A: I'm hoping to run the 1600 or the 800-meter. Q: When did you start running? A: Freshman year, but not competitively. Q: Why did you start running? A: I used to be a gymnast and I tore my shoulder. I had to find something to keep in shape, I guess you could say without using my hands. Q: What does running mean to you? A: It means a lot to me. I don't know how to explain. Q: Did anyone inspire you? On the team? A: Sophia [Hamdani]. She's really supportive with everybody and I just love running with her. It's a nice vibe. Q: What motto or quote do you live by? A: I would say finish what you started Q: what is your favorite weird food combo? A: Hot fries with ice cream. Q: what is something you do before a race? A: I pray. Q: what’s your favorite childhood cartoon? A: Definitely Caillou, I grew up with Caillou Q: who’s your favorite professional athlete? A: I feel like he's a famous football player, Messi. He's very inspiring.

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Jessica Wang, 9: Varsity

Freshman Jessica Wang joined the varsity cross country and track teams after entering high school. Her proudest moment so far has been making it to regionals as part of the varsity girls team. She attributes her positivity as her biggest contribution to the team and hopes to advance to state.

Jessica Wang '27

Q: Distance you run?. A: I haven't done track before, I honestly do not know. Q: When did you start running? A: At the start of the school year Q: Why did you start running? A: I had a lot of friends who are running and I liked running during PE in middle school. I thought it'd be fun to do cross country in high school. Q: What does running mean to you? A: It's just very stress relieving. Q: Did anyone inspire you? On the team? A: Sophia Q: What motto or quote do you live by? A: Try your best. Don't worry, just have fun because you're there to have fun Q: what is your favorite weird food combo? A: My grandma used to make me sea cucumbers and in order to make it taste better she would put honey on it. Q: what is something you do before a race? A: Definitely just like talking and hanging out with friends. Just looking at the course to know what you're expecting. Q: what’s your favorite childhood cartoon? A: Definitely the Wild Krats. That was my whole childhood. Q: who’s your favorite professional athlete? A: Gabby Douglas

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Jennifer Paz, 10: JV

Sophomore Jennifer Paz has been a member of the cross country and track teams since the beginning of the school year. Her greatest accomplishment has been staying committed to running even though almost every practice results in her throwing up from exhaustion. She brings humor to lift the team’s spirits and rants about the woes of her life.

Jennifer Paz '26

Q: Distance you run?. A: [The] 800, 1600 and 3200-meter. Q: When did you start running? A: I started running in eighth grade Q: Why did you start running? A: I wanted to try something new. Q: What does running mean to you? A: Running means a lot to me because when I'm stressed or I'm overthinking or I have things going on, I just go on like a four mile run. Q: Did anyone inspire you? On the team? A: Lavinia, she was the one that told me to join cross country. Q: What motto or quote do you live by? A: I always tell myself that God is gonna help me throughout this race. Q: what is your favorite weird food combo? A: Iced coffee and hot Cheetos. Q: what is something you do before a race? A: I normally listen to music, so I can lock in. Or I talk a lot. Q: what’s your favorite childhood cartoon? A: Phineas and Ferb. Q: who’s your favorite professional athlete? A: Serena Williams

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Annie Tsang, 10: JV

Sophomore Annie Tsang joined the JV cross country and track teams this school year. She is most proud of her increased exercise and water intake for this year especially, paying more attention to her health. Her quality trait is sarcasm and joking around with the team during warmups. She likes sprinkling pepper on her fries and shops for sports equipment at Nike and Lululemon.

Annie Tsang '26

Q: Distance you run?. A: [The] 800 and 1200-meter. Q: When did you start running? A: On my own last year Q: Why did you start running? A: I joined because I wanted to exercise more and like my friend Lavinia, she did it last year and she said it was fun. Q: What does running mean to you? A: It helps me focus I guess like train my mind. Q: Did anyone inspire you? On the team? A: Lavinia Q: What motto or quote do you live by? A: YOLO Q: what is your favorite weird food combo? A: I like sprinkling pepper on my fries Q: what is something you do before a race? A: I hydrate a lot because I get scared that I'm gonna be thirsty during the race. Q: what’s your favorite childhood cartoon? A: SpongeBob Q: who’s your favorite professional athlete? A: Simone Biles

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Jatin Presse, 11 Varsity

Varsity member junior Jatin Presse joined the cross country and track teams freshman year. His favorite color is gold and his favorite chapstick brand is Aquaphor. Presse does not have a dream college but looks to find a college that fits his needs and goals

Jatin Presse '25

Q: Distance you run? A: [The] 1600 and 3200-meter. Q: When did you start running? A: I used to run during lunch in middle school. Q: Why did you start running? A: I got into cross country because the running coach was like, You should join cross country. And \\from there, I fell in love with it. Q: What does running mean to you? A: Running means completing my unaccomplished goals Q: Did anyone inspire you? On the team? A: Zain Hamdani Q: What motto or quote do you live by? A: Strive to do a little better every day Q: what is your favorite weird food combo? A: Peanut butter sandwiches with bananas and raisins Q: what is something you do before a race? A: I always take my caffeine blocks. I also make sure to stretch, and I always sit down and just stare at a wall. Q: what’s your favorite childhood cartoon? A: My little pony Q: who’s your favorite professional athlete? A: Eluid Kipochoge

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Cade Hart, 11: Varsity for xc, JV for track

Junior Cade Hart runs for the varsity boys cross country team and JV boys track team.Hart gets his running equipment from Fleet Feet. Hart wants to attend Texas A&M and continue running there.

Cade Hart '25

Q: Distance you run? A: I ran track last year. I did the 160- meter and 3200-meter, which is basically the mile and two mile. Q: When did you start running? A: I started running in 8th grade Q: Why did you start running? A: I started running because I wanted to find a sport that I could be a part of a team and exercise with. Q: What does running mean to you? A: Running is a way for me to try my best at something and like try to become faster and better and try my hardest every day in practice to get faster Q: Did anyone inspire you? On the team? A: Zain inspired me when I first started running Q: What is something you hope to achieve? A: I hope to get faster and continue running varsity for cross country and become varsity for track Q: What motto or quote do you live by? A: I guess your brain is the strongest muscle in your body even though it's not a muscle. Q: what is your favorite weird food combo? A: Pineapple and pizza Q: what is something you do before a race? A: I like to think about the course, like what I'm going to do, and prepare myself for running the race. Q: what’s your favorite childhood cartoon? A: Bob the Builder Q: who’s your favorite professional athlete? A: Michael Phelps

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Joaquin Gomez, 11: JV

Junior Joaquin Gomez is a member of the JV boys cross country and track teams. His dream college is Rice University. He views cross country as running up and down hills whereas track is more running on a flat surface.

Joaquin Gomez '25

Q: Distance you run? A: [The] 1600-meter and 800-meter Q: When did you start running? A: Thanksgiving Break of freshman year Q: Why did you start running? A: I wanted to lose weight, but I also wanted to have a community to run with. Cross country seemed really accepting and easy for people to get into. Q: What does running mean to you? A: It’s been something that’s changed my life, and it’s also just been something fun. Q: Did anyone inspire you? On the team? A: Zain Hamdani, but also Jacob Lee was an inspiration for me because he told me I could just sign up for the cross country team. Q: What motto or quote do you live by? A: You get what you sow, you get you what you put in. Q: what is your favorite weird food combo? A: Spaghetti and zesty Italian dressing Q: what is something you do before a race? A: I drink a lot of water beforehand, and I normally have on just my bracelet and my chain. I feel like it makes me faster. Q: what’s your favorite childhood cartoon? A: Ben 10 or Teen Titans Go Q: who’s your favorite professional athlete? A: Probably Eliud Kipchoge

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Sophia Hamdani, 10 Varsity

Varsity runner and sophomore Sophia Hamdani has been on the cross country and track teams for two years. She is most proud of making it to state last year and finishing her race in harsh weather after losing her shoe a quarter mile into the race. This year, she enjoys the especially tight community of the cross country team and its dynamic. Hamdani tries to hype people up and brings her energy by cheering her teammates on when running.

Sophia Hamdani '26

Q: Distance you run?. I'm in track I run mostly the mile but I want to focus on the 800-meter and the two mile Q: When did you start running? A: I ran throughout elementary school, I would do like 5ks with my family Q: Why did you start running? A: Because my dad was a runner like all of his life. Q: What does running mean to you? A: I think that running is a way to calm down and have time to myself. Q: Didanyone inspire you? On the team? A: Joaquin, I thought that he was pretty cool. Q: What motto or quote do you live by? A: Philippians 4 Q: what is your favorite weird food combo? A: French fries and mussels Q: what is something you do before a race? A: I do a lot of prayers. Q: what’s your favorite childhood cartoon? A: Backyardigans Q: who’s your favorite professional athlete? A: Eluid Kipochage

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