Sienna Collins is was the 1A state champion in Cross county last year as only a freshmen. She also made it to state in both the 3200m and 1600m for track. In the 3200m she placed 2nd overall only behind O'Donnell senior Kaitlin Bell. Collins has already started off strong this season with a 2nd place finish at the Gerald Ritchey XC Invitational and win at the Miller Grove Invitational. Collins is one to keep an eye on this year she is not only looking to make it back to state individually but also bring her team after losing three seniors from last years 7th place state team. We caught up with her to see how this seasons been so far and find out what her and her teams goals are for the year. Chek out are Q&A below!
How has this season been going so far this year? What have been some of the biggest challenges? What have you really enjoyed?
This season is going great! It has been full of new PRs and renewed excitement in what I'm doing. Some of the biggest challenges this season are actually pretty minor (keep fingers crossed) such as getting up early to put in some mileage, intense hill training, and pumping iron in the weight room, now that's a real struggle. One thing I have really enjoyed this year is being able to show up at meets and visit with other runners that I've made friends with this past year.
Coming off the big state win last year in cross country do you feel any pressure to run well again this season? Why or why not?
I definitely feel the pressure, more from myself than anybody else. I want to do well not only for me but also for my parents, coaches, and my teammates.
You had a great race at the Miller Grove Invitational. What was it like to race aginst your district/region rival? How do you prepare for a meet/race like that?
The Miller Grove Invitational was a good win but I had to run with a minor injury from the Gerald Richey Invitational where I ran well against tougher competition. I race against Miller Grove several times a year and I've gotten to know the girls well. Honestly we train through our regular season meets, trying to improve for our post-season.
What meets are you excited for this year, and why? What are yours and your team's goals for the remainder of the Cross Country season?
Some meets that I am excited for this year are the Titus County Invitational in Mount Pleasant because of the challenging competition from schools that I don't usually compete against. Also our very own District meet at Lake Bob Sandlin, because it is the course I train on during the season and it has some mean terrain that I know better than other runners. My team and I would like to preform well at Regionals and make it back to the State Meet this year, even though loosing four girls from last year's team, we hope to place better at State this year with only five hardworking girls.
Do you prefer track or cross country more and why?
I slightly prefer track over cross country because of having the option to compete in multiple events such as the jumps and being able to race at different distances.
2015 1A State Meet Race
Fun Questions
Beyonce' or Taylor Swift?
listen to both depending on my mood, I listen to Beyoncé's "Run The World (Girls)" before my meets and also like to jam out to Taylor Swift at times. Like last year's 5 hour drive to Austin, where I had Taylor Swift on repeat for the whole trip and made my male coach go insane from all the "chick songs"
McDonalds or Whataburger?
Whataburger... it's a Texas thing
Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck, or a hundred duck-sized horses, and why?
A horse sized duck is pretty intimidating, but I love horses so cuddly duck size horses sounds like a dream . But being an animal lover I do not think I could fight one, because I am a runner not a fighter.
