Sandrine Urias
(La Serna, Whittier)
Frosh Star one of 2006
Fall CC Surprises!!

December 2006
Doug Speck

Mark Smith photo

One of the impressive runners this past fall season among newcomers to the prep scene was Undrine Urias of La Serna in Whittier, with the frosh star racing the #17 All-Time performance ever for her grade at Woodward Park this Fall with her eighth place in the State Meet at 18:03 Division II.  She probably has done less running and racing than anyone on that rather select list, with the circumstances of her season as she explains it below, shortened due to injury making her running even more newsworthy.  Obviously a top swimmer, as she explains below, it is hoped that she will give the fall running sport a serious try and consider stepping out on the track for the team there in the spring, as she has national elite capabilities out of the water also. 

1) Briefly trace your successes this past fall in cross-country?
--I started off by breaking my High School Course record which hadn't been broken for 5 years. It was exciting especially because it was my first high school race. I then moved on to league finals where our team La Serna, qualified for CIF prelims. There I finished 4th for Div.II in my heat with an 18:03. I went on to CIF finals and placed 7th and 5th as an indiv. qualifier. State was my breakthrough race. I got a bad start at the first stretch but was able to do a 5:22 1st mile. I averaged a 5:49 mile and finished 8th overall, Div. II. with a time of 18:03. I was 2nd fastest freshman in state behind Jacque Taylor and 15th overall combined.

2) What sports did you participate in before you came to high school?
--I am a full time National level swimmer and this past summer competed in the Speedo Junior Nationals in Irvine, CA. My specialty is the 200 meter breaststroke and I train for distance events such as the 800 meters and Mile Freestyle. I swim 10-12 times per week, 2-3 hours per session, year round. This includes 5-7AM workouts before school. My Club Team is the La Mirada Armada our relay team plans to break the national record for 13-14 girls in the 400 IM. I also ran Footlocker the previous 2 years and finished 4th as an 8th grader. I made Western Zone Select Team and will be training at altitude this coming May.


3) Did your successes this past Fall surprise you? explain briefly--
--I was very surprised to find myself competing against an elite group of girls and finishing well at State. Yet I knew I worked just as hard as these girls but in a different sport. I had to trust my Cardio fitness to carry me through my races. I was injured shortly after my second race. I felt this was because I came out very hard and over exerted my muscles causing a severe shin splint in my right leg. I took three weeks off prior to league and prelims and worked through my injury. I was very confident at State yet had only run 6 races prior 2 which were awful due to my injury. I kept working hard in the water and relied on my swim workouts to carry me through.

4) What is your favorite kind of workout that you think does the best job preparing you for a fast race?
--I like to work on controlled pace runs of 400-800 meters, I take it somewhat easy and discuss strategies with my coach.

5) What are any of your hobbies besides running?
--With the little free time that I have, I like playing the piano and attending Catholic Confirmation classes.

6) What is your favorite class in school?
--Nutrition and Lunch, Joke. I take AP level classes and enjoy Spanish. I find it fun because it is my easiest class and my teacher is awesome. Biology on the other hand is very difficult and challenging but I've been able to maintain an A average.

7) Do you have any relatives who are involved with sports?
--My family is very athletic. My younger brother and sister are full time swimmers and have competed at Age group Junior Olympics. My mother was a Cross country and track runner in high school and was league champ until she was injured. My father played several sports and has completed several Marathons in the past along with my mother. I don't know where the swimming came from, but my parents found me floating in the tub at a very young age and have been a fish ever since.

8) What would you like to accomplish with your running before you finish high school?
--I would like to make state each year and hopefully finish first. I hope to place top 5 or better at Footlocker Nationals. My long term goal is make Olympics 2012 in swimming or running.