Get to Know Q & A
- Your nickname, if any, and how did it come about?
Lil’ Y . It was my rapper name given to me by my sprint coach.
- How did you get your start in track and field and/or cross country?
I started in track and cross country because none of the other sports me or my siblings were doing was clicking so we all quit and decided to pursue our parents sport and them be our coaches and have never looked back.
- Your parents' athletic background. Did they play any sports-where(HS, College, Pro), what position, when, any awards? Please include names.
My mom ran and competed for the Ecuadorian national team and went to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. My dad was a two time state cross country champs and a D1 scholarship runner at BYU.
- Any siblings? Please include names and genders and any accomplishments in or out of sport.
All of my siblings run competitively, my two older sisters are scholarships athletes at BYU and my younger brother and younger sister are middle school and elementary school champs with my little sister having won 4-5 national championships.
- Outside interests- your hobbies, talents(musical, chess, anything), volunteering- what do you do in your free time?
I play the piano and enjoy baking and watching movies. Over the summer I volunteer to help kids learn English and running
- At school, do you do any extracurricular activities? i.e. student government, clubs or other sports.
Currently I don’t participate in any other sport or club
- Pre- and post- race rituals. Any superstitions?
Pre race I listen to music and write an affirmation on my arm. Post race I talk to my parents about “roses and thorns” three things to improve and three things to work on. My race superstition is I need to race in my flame socks.
- Movie watcher and/or book reader? What is/are your favorite book and/or movie and why?
I love movies. My favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice.
- How do you deal with setbacks and triumphs?
I deal with setbacks as a learning opportunity and ways to improve and I take triumphs as a confidence booster that my methods are working.
- Pet owner? If so, what is your pet's name and type/breed?
No pets
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself as a D1 college athlete workings towards the Olympics or nationals
- What words would you have for your sixth grade self?
I would tell sixth grade me to keep working hard and that it is worth it in the end.
- Who is your favorite track and field athlete and why? How about other sports-who is your favorite athlete and why?
My favorite athlete in track and field is Craig Engles because he’s from close to my hometown in NC and he brings charisma and laughter to the sport. Aaron Judge because he shows confidence in his abilities and performs well under pressure.
- Favorite hype song, if any, before your competition
Godzilla- Eminem ft. Juice WRLD
- Many athletes are quoted as saying " trust the process". What does that mean to you?
Trust the process for me means having faith in yourself and your plan for greater success to come.
- How do you balance social media with your performance? Does social media impact you positively or negatively?
Social media can be negative and positive but I always remind myself that I have my own journey and to celebrate with others but to not compare or feel left out.
- Favorite and not favorite high school subject and why?
My favorite subject in high school is English because it allows you to express yourself through writing.
- Favorite musical artist and why? What is your favorite song by that artist?
My favorite artist is Aiden Bissett, my favorite song is Sick
- Favorite pre- and post- meal?
My favorite pre meal is cinnamon wheat cookies with almond butter and my favorite post meal is a pizza Sicilian style.
- Dire question warning :) If you were unable to continue to compete in track and field, what would you do?
I would probably pursue another sport that involves running like soccer or lacrosse
- What do you see your legacy being-in and outside the track world?
I want my legacy to be a runner, kids can look up to and I want to popularize track and field to bring awareness to all hard working athletes.
- What is your vice? What do you binge on that you can't seem to control?
My vice is spicy lime tortilla chips from Trader Joe’s.
- If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be and why?
If I could meet anyone dead or alive I would meet Jesse Owens and ask about how he got through the persecution.
