Getting To Know Angelina Vasquez

The latest "Getting To Know" features freshman distance runner Angelina Vasquez from Barstow, Calif. She competes for USC in cross country and track and field. She has a high school best in the 800m of 2:12.61.

Q: Being from California have you always known that you wanted to stay here for school or did you think about going out of state?

A.V.: The possibility of going out of state was definitely out there. Of course, I wanted the best offer and somewhere I would feel more at home. For me SC has been my dream school since freshman year, so I was definitely striving towards getting here. More towards my senior year I started really pushing for it more. I didn't think I really had the times, but once I was in communication with the coach I became super focused on SC. I do have family in LA, so it was perfect. It's not too far from home and my family lives five minutes away. My first time flying was a few weeks ago to Washington for the Pac-12s.

Q: How was it?

A.V.: Coach Harris announced it in the air on the plane that it was my first flight and they gave me a certificate. I was laughing so hard. I enjoyed flying back because I was able to see the city and the lights. It was so peaceful.

Q: How was your experience at your first Pac-12 Championships?

A.V.: It was interesting because I expected to feel so nervous, but I didn't. I think it was because of my teammates. Being around them, I just feel so calm and collected. I always feel like they have my back and I always have their back regardless of how I was feeling that day.

Q: Would it be fair to say that some of your confidence this season has come from the fact that you know you've got such a strong support system from your teammates?

A.V.: One hundred percent. The amount of times they've had my back during workouts is insane. Cross country and track training is no joke. We're out there doing 10, 12 miles with speed sometimes and running alone you definitely need someone to say, 'Hey good job.' That can take you one more mile. Having them mile by mile, 800m by 800m, goes a long way. We all like to uplift each other. We've done a lot of activities with our psychologist, Niki, that's helped us. I feel like that plays a big part in uplifting each other a lot.

Q: Does your interest in being a sports psychologist come from your work here with Niki or have you always been interested?

A.V.: During high school I was going through the recruiting process and just found myself so stressed. Trying to stay on top of my school work and being a good daughter at home, I didn't want to bring my stress and family problems to my races. It's hard to manage a lot of the time and they didn't offer a sports psychologist at Barstow. For the most part I was really trying to figure it out on my own. Through everything I really wanted that, and realized I wanted to be that person for other athletes.

Q: Having a sports psychologist has clearly been one of the major differences for you since coming here. Are there major differences you've seen in competition between high school and college?

A.V.: Yeah it's a big jump. For example, in high school you wake up at 4:30/5 am to go to practice and not many people are there. But here there's always a group of people willing to put in work before or after practice, and everyone's just as good or better than you. One thing I will say is that everyone is really humble here. No matter the position, they talk to you as an equal.

Q: That must've made the transition a little bit easier right?

A.V.: For sure. Like I said, everyone on the team is so nice and the coaches are super kind. That whole aspect and environment definitely plays a factor in me being so comfortable and not stressed over my position.

Q: Has the environment of SC impacted your outlook on things whether it's sports, school or personally?

A.V.: Back home I was so worried about what everyone else was doing, thinking, 'I should be doing that,' or 'They're hitting that time, so I should be hitting that time.' I was so influenced by other people, but here everybody's so cool with doing their own thing and not trying to be like anyone else. We all have idols, right, but it's important to do our own thing and focus on building our own brand. Seeing everyone around me be okay with that has really inspired me to do things for me. Maybe I'm not hitting those times I want to hit, but I have to hit other times in order to get there. Maybe I wont even come close to those times, but I'm enjoying the process and falling more in love with the sport.

Q: You mentioned how you all have idols, who are some of your idols?

A.V: My brother easily. My brother has had a lot of struggles and his dream was always to play soccer in England. He would always wear England shirts and have it on his whiteboard. When he got an opportunity, he lived in his car for a year, got good footage and just moved to England. Now he's out there playing semi-pro soccer for Crystal Palace. To see him just go out there with no hesitation and sacrifice having a place to stay, was just amazing.

Q: It sounds like he's been a big source of inspiration for you.

A.V.: Yeah, I always try to carry myself with my brother's mentality. He's never embarrassed to ask for help, but I am. I have to take full advantage of this opportunity and any opportunity there is just like my brother. He's like my best friend and we've just continued to get closer and now we can relate on a different level because we're both athletes.

Q: Have you gained any new hobbies or interests?

A.V.: I love to color and I love to be outside. Sometimes I just need to be on my own and take a deep breath. I need time to re-collect myself because there's so much going on trying to stay on top of school and practice. Being able to spend time by myself and go outside, color, and listen to music really helps a lot.

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Getting To Know Angelina Vasquez

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