Sierra Sanchez, Randall cross country, Sr.
On the course: Sanchez continues to prove why she has been a staple on the Randall cross country team through her four-year career. Once again, the senior impressed over the weekend by helping the Lady Raiders to a team victory at the Amarillo ISD Invitational Cross Country meet at Rick Klein Park scoring 18 points to beat Amarillo High (52 points). Sanchez led the entire way of the 5K meet of the large school division running an impressive time of 18:18.45. Sanchez has been a key cog getting Randall to the UIL Class 5A state cross country meet during her first three years with her best individual finish coming as a sophomore when she placed 21st overall. Sanchez will compete at the Lubbock Invitational, which is a Region I showcase meet, on Saturday.
Coach Rebekah James: “I’ve told the seniors that if they are interested about running in college you really need to run fast at this 5K meet. Class 4A only runs a 2-mile race so colleges don’t get to see a lot of 5K times. Sierra took advantage of that and really took off. I knew she’d run it fast, but she surprised me a little bit how fast she ran it. But that’s just who Sierra is. She’ll step up when called upon and she’s a leader for us. We’ve loved having her on our team the past four years. She works hard despite having some health issues in the past. But she’s healthy now and she takes care of herself.”
Sanchez: “I really thought about just pushing through and not getting tired during the race. I wanted to do well for my team and help us win and getting a really good time. I wanted to just go all out, and I was able to do that. It meant a lot that my training has been working. I focus a lot on my training and I’m glad it’s paying off. I push myself every day at practice and I’m running my hardest.”
About Sanchez
Favorite band or musician: Whitney Houston
Favorite social media platform: TikTok
Favorite athlete: Joey Sanchez (Her father)
Bet you didn’t know: She’s been in choir since the seventh grade
Parents: Joey Sanchez