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 True cross country fans know our sport is more of a team event than most outsiders realize, yet there are plenty of individual standouts as well.  So, while honoring the tradition we have started at DyeStat with Interval Sessions, which introduced you to the top individuals in both track and XC, we launch Fall 2009 with "Star Squad Spotlight," giving you a chance to get to know not just the top individual runners in the country, but also the best teams.

 star | rolonda jumbo
10.01.09
by Dave Devine, DyeStat Senior Editor

Last fall and winter, there were few high school harriers in the nation with a better string of post-season success than Chinle AZ freshman Rolonda Jumbo.  After winning the Arizona 3A state title and leading her high shool to it's third-straight state trophy, Jumbo placed 4th at the NXN Southwest Regional, qualifying to compete at the NXN Finals in Portland.  Jumbo skipped that opportunity to compete at Foot Locker West in California the same weekend, where she barely missed a trip to the San Diego finals with a 12th place finish.  In February, she impressed again with a 9th place effort at the USATF Junior National XC Champs, where she represented the esteemed Native American running club Wings of America.  That placing earned Jumbo a spot on the US Team for the NACAC XC Championships in Orlando FL in March.  There, Jumbo again surprised with an 11th place showing on a US team which claimed second behind Canada.  Time and again, in many of the major post-season events, there was the Navajo star from northeastern Arizona, racing with the leaders, battling at the front, just missing out on the national headlines.

This year, expect Jumbo to be making the headlines, as she has torn through the early season undefeated and looks to step it up again in the post-season events.  DyeStat senior editor Dave Devine meets an unassuming sophomore with major promise.


1) It seems like your 2009 cross country season is off to a great start.  Can you talk about some of your races so far, and how you're feeling about your fitness and level of training as you head into October?  Is there anything you've done differently this year, or over the summer, to prepare to have an even more successful year than you had as a ninth grader?

So far my races have gone well.  As far as training, I'm doing almost everything the same. This season I want to be consistent, and at the same time progress.

2) You certainly had an eventful freshman year, coming from a small school division in Arizona to some impressive cross country performances around the nation.  What were some of your personal highlights and lasting memories?

The biggest highlight would have to be getting the experience to run against top ranked runners, and knowing my love for running has gotten me here. Also, getting on the [starting] line at a place I've never been.  With all I have seen, I wish the rest of the team was there to see it all too.
 
3) Not many high school runners can say they've represented the United States in an international competition, but you had the chance to do that last March at the NACAC Championships in Florida. How was it for you to wear the Team USA uniform?  Did you learn anything in particular from that experience, or perhaps from some of the other runners you met, which will be useful in the years ahead?

It’s given me the experience I needed, and made me realize even more, how much hard work pays off.  I felt honored, because I wasn't just representing the USA, I was on the Wings of America team before that.  Without their help I'd probably still have yet to even touch a USA jersey.  I feel very lucky that there's a Wings of America Program.


4) For people who have never been to the northeastern part of Arizona, can you tell us a little bit about what it's like to train there?  Are there particular times of day you try to get in your training runs?  What sort of terrain and surfaces do you run on, and can you describe maybe the hardest or most challenging run you do on a regular basis?  Maybe a run you always use to test your fitness or measure the shape you're getting into as you head deeper into the season?   

I'm used to the terrain out here.  To me, the harder the terrain, the more fun it gets.  There are lots of long sandy hills, rough terrain and especially mud runs!  Those are a big joy for our team.  I mainly enjoy long runs in the heat.  It gives me a sense of what cross country is all about.  Every Monday through Thursday I have morning runs.  I run almost 4 miles, with 5 laps on the track, then 8 strides or 6x150 fly’s— I switch off every day.  After that, I use the rest of the day to recover and go into practice with whatever is set for the day.

5) I know that running and a tradition of great runners is deeply woven into the culture of the Navajo Nation.  What does that history and tradition mean to you personally?  Are there role models or heroes you look up to, either within the Navajo Nation or the wider Native American running community?

Yes, I actually have two big heroes that I look to every day:  Billy Mills and my coach, Shaun Martin. Billy Mills was the first Native American to win a gold medal in the 10,000 meter race. He didn’t have it so easy growing up, and still overcame it. There's so much more to him. For my coach, I think if he wasn't our coach he'd be one of the famous runners you hear of today. I feel like our team is very lucky to have him as our coach. He teaches us as much as he can and really believes in us. The year he came to Chinle High School he completely turned around the program.  I wasn't in high school yet, but the team went from not knowing what a stride is, down to winning 3A state titles.
 
6) It sounds like you've been coached by either Coach Martin or his wife, Melissa, your entire running career, from fourth grade onward.  How did you first get interested in running, and what sort of impact has the involvement of Coach Martin and his wife had in your life?

I think I first got interested in running by watching my older brothers run. They ran for the sport or to train for other sports. I've watch them train, work hard and dedicate themselves.  I've learned a lot from them.  Shaun and Melissa are a huge impact with my running.  Melissa coached me when I first started, and now that I'm in high school Shaun's the one to coach me. When I look to them, it seems as if every little thing is possible; they are great, humble, unique people that I appreciate very much. Really, after just a year of Shaun coaching me, I want to follow in his success, from his success in coaching us to his success running ultra-marathons.

7) I read a recent article where Coach Martin said, "The main thing I stress is details, to become a runner, living like a runner..."  As one of his athletes, can you describe what this means for you?  In effect, what does it mean to "live like a runner?" What things do you have to do—or not do—to make that a reality?

When he was in college, Coach Martin went by a routine, from getting up early to going to sleep early. He explained it to us as doing the little things that will help in the long run: getting rest, doing strides, keeping up our grades.  For example, I really didn't hydrate before coming into high school, but when I started to, there was a big difference which made me realize what those little details can do.

8) What sorts of things do you enjoy doing besides running?  When the season is over, or the big meet is done and you have some time to relax, what would we find you doing with your friends or family to unwind?

Other than running…well, I run again at home!  Competing is one thing, but doing it for fun is another. But if you mean when I'm not doing that either… I have my horses and cattle to look after when I come home.  I love riding horses and running the barrels.

9) In the process of doing interviews like this, I've discovered that running means all sorts of things to different high school runners. For some it becomes their identity at school—"Oh, she's the girl that runs,"—for others it's secondary to something like student government or basketball.  For some it's a way to connect with and enjoy the natural world, appreciating nature on long runs, for some it's a stress relief, for some it's an escape from other, less-positive things around them.  For some there's a spiritual component, for some it opens a door of opportunity to college or travel or new experiences.  If you don't mind sharing, what role has running come to play in your life?  What has running given you that you might not otherwise have?

Running is my joy in life; I do it for the love of it. Running makes me feel great.  An example is probably running in the rain—it is a beauty, right?  Well, every time I run I have that feeling.  I have a deep passion to run every day; without a run in the day, I feel as if that day wasn't complete.


Photos (from top) - Headshot and 2008 FL West - John Dye; 2009 USATF Jr XC - John Roemer; 2008 FL West -
Scott Kurtz
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