Salute To Seniors: Jose Santana - East River

Salute To Seniors: Jose Santana - East River


What was your most memorable race?

My most memorable race would have to be my unior year at the regional meet when I qualified for the state meet for the first time.

What would you consider your biggest competition?

My biggest competition throughout my whole running carrer would have to Reggie Glover from Dr. Phillips and Angel Coburn from West Orange. It was more of a friendly competitive type competition with them.

Out of all of your high school accomplishments which stands out the most?

It would have to be placing 3rd in state and finally running 47.91 for my last race and my senior year.

If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?

 If i could change something it would have been quiting football earlier and starting to run cross country my freshman year instead of my junior year.

What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?

The most difficult obstacle i had to overcome was the mental fact that all athletes i raced were so much taller than me and me being the shortest in the bunch at 5'6. When you  line up against guys who are 5"8-6ft it's hard not to a little intimidated.

What will you miss the most?
 
i will miss the friendly competition with all the friends i made through track  and seeing them line up against me.

Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
 
Advice i would give to younger athletes is that all the sweat you put on the track and all the cries of pain in practice will be worth it in the actual race. Track is 90% mental make sure your mind is where it should be.

What kind of influence has your coach had on you?

My coach has had much influence on my performance, teaching me that there is a such thing as having a strategy/gameplan for every race. I've also learned a lot about my form. Before I just ran as fast as I could for as long as I could never thinking high knees and arm pumping could prove to take off crucial seconds.

What are your college plans?

My college plans are to attend West Point Academy and run track for them as well.
 
Who would you like to say thank you to?

I would like to thank more than anyone my parents/family for all the support they had for me always cheering me on every single race and always believing in me. Without them i would not be the runner or person i am today, i am truly blessed.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

i would like to add that all things are possible through God and all the glory goes to him. "God is good and all the time God is good." 


More Coverage
 

Want to be featured in our Salute To Seniors series? Drop me a line: TGrasley@milesplit.com and answer the questions above! Congratulations to the class of 2012 on all their hard work and success.