Getting To Know Alfredo Reina Corona

This edition of "Getting to Know" features graduate transfer student Alfredo Reina Corona. He discusses his love for software engineering, his Mexican heritage, and his decision to come to Southern California. He is scheduled to make his USC debut when the Trojans open the indoor track season at the Spokane Sports Showcaste on Jan. 17.

Q: How would you say the transition from UT Arlington to USC has been for you?

A.R.C: The transition has been very big academically and socially. My previous school was a commuter school. I feel here at USC that it is not hard to be involved in the social life . When it comes to athletics, we have a lot more resources here.

Q: What made you want to come to USC?

A.R.C: I was originally just going to come for purely academic reasons. I didn't officially receive a spot on the team until late in the summer, so I thought my time competing in track was over. I'm really grateful for the opportunity and it definitely contributed even more to me coming here."

Q: What do you enjoy most about being a student athlete here?

A.R.C: We are very well taken care of. The trainers are amazing. The facilities are amazing. It is just a very conducive environment in which to improve. Academically, the professors are really good. I didn't quite realize until I started taking my classes that a lot of the professors here are "big shots" when it comes to their specializations, and it's just really exciting to get to learn from them.

Q: What got you interested in doing distance events?

A.R.C: It was something I was told to do in middle school. I did not start taking distance events seriously until my sophomore year of high school, but I always did it because I thought it was a fun thing to do.

Q: What are your personal goals for this track season coming up?

A.R.C: Since I redshirted last year, I am hoping to get around the 3:39 area for the 1500m.

Q: Why did you decide to major in computer science?

A.R.C: I chose computer science because I was in a club group back in high school. The coach there was actually getting his certificate in data warehousing, and he talked to us about it a little bit during the training. I just thought it was like, really cool. I originally wanted to pursue a degree in chemical engineering, but then the school I went to didn't have that option, so computer science just seemed like the natural second choice for me.

Q: It also says in your bio that you want to specifically be a software developer for a race car company. What excites you most about working on software for vehicles and race cars?

A.R.C: I feel like it matches with my competitive nature. Even if I can't work with race cars, I really want to be in the vehicle software industry. By improving software systems like automatic braking, lane following, and adaptive cruise control, you are inherently making the vehicle a lot safer. The safer the vehicle, the better it is, in my opinion, which genuinely motivates me to go into the industry.

Q: Can you give us some details about your Mexican heritage and what it means to you?

A.R.C: I think my heritage is pretty important. Everyone has their own culture and personality. For me, specifically this means that I enjoy all aspects of the food and the traditions.

Q: How has your culture influenced your journey as an athlete?

A.R.C: It has definitely made me appreciate the things I have more. I was instilled with a really strong sense of responsibility and family values. I'd do everything I could to improve myself. Similarly, family values were always emphasized. It has made me really care for and appreciate not only my direct family but everyone who has helped me throughout the years.

Q: Who is your inspiration, either on the track or in your personal life?

A.R.C: My mom. She has just put in a lot of work. Just seeing all the work she has put in makes me want to keep pushing and to eventually give her a comfortable life.

Q: Do you have an ideal vacation destination that you would like to go to someday?

A.R.C: I'd like to go somewhere that either snows a lot or is really tropical. I would like to go to Colorado during the winter and South American islands during the summer.

Q: Do you have any other fun facts about yourself?

A.R.C: I used to be a sprinter and jumper in middle school.

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Alfredo Reina Corona