Salute To Seniors: Chris Ibarra - Atlanta HS

Txrunning Salute to Seniors - 2013
ALEX ALDACO

 

What was your most memorable race?

Finishing first at the 2012 UIL State Championships in the 800 meter with the top junior time in the state. Finishing 3rd as a Sophomore really gave me the encouragement to better myself the next year. After all of my hard work, it felt amazing to finally get that first place medal. 

Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?

As the years went by I changed from different levels of rivals. First year, I dealt with rivals from my area. Second year, I had a rival at the Regional and State level. Third year, I battled with the best in the state and began to race nationally. Fourth year, I had great rivals from across the nation. 

What was your greatest accomplishment?

 
Finishing first in the fast heat of the New Balance Indoor Nationals in New York against the nation's best 800 meter runners; earning myself All-American honors with the 13th ranked high school indoor 800 meter run of all time. 

If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?

Concentrating on my running at a younger age and taking every race more seriously. 

What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
 
During the fall of my senior year, I tore ligaments in my ankle from playing high school football. I was playing in the FIRST game of my senior year at the corner back position; and as I went in for the tackle on the very FIRST play, players fell on my legs causing my right ankle to extend further than it should, thus bringing me to the ground in tears. I sat and waited to even begin rehab a month later. The process was unbearable, and torturing. The strongest pain I had to overcome, was mentally. Colleges were calling left and right leaving me to postpone visits until I could walk again. My greatest fear was the thought of never returning to the runner I was before. Only negative things came through my mind as I sat every day. Fortunately, after much rehab, I was back on my feet running at the end of November. Just a month later, I ran a 4:19 mile at the A&M Indoor, 1:52 800 at Arkansas (meet record), and a 1:55 at Houston breaking their record as well. When I finally broke through the greatest barrier I had ever been challenged with, I had one of the greatest senior year performances that I could have never thought I was capable of in September running PR's of 47.5-400m split, 1:50-800m, 4:12-1600m. 

What will you miss the most?

The long hours I had on the track with no teammates but myself and my coaches to work with. The calm and consistent sound of only my breathing, and footsteps. 

What advice you would give to younger athletes?

Narrow your sports and become better at what your greatest potential resides in. In high school (excluding my senior year), I played: Football, Baseball, Soccer, Tennis, and Basketball to accompany my running. You will always be good if you are talented in all sports, but you will never be great until you focus on purely running. 
 
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?

All of my coaches have given me nothing but the best I would ever need throughout my years in Atlanta. From encouragement, to college decisions, to simply talking, they were always there to have a conversation with me about anything. I knew I could always turn to them if I needed any kind of assistance with anything (Which was often). I couldn't have asked for better high school coaches. 

What are your college plans?

I plan to attend the University of Houston to run both track field, and cross country. I will major in Biochemistry, and I look to become an Orthopedic Surgeon after medical school. I wish to become this so I can give people the encouragement through injuries like the one I had. 
 
Who would you like to say thank you to?

The whole town of Atlanta, Texas has been nothing but loving to all of my endeavors. The greatest thank you, should be given to my family who has helped me in everything that I needed. My father gave me the discipline to become a hard worker every single day. My mother taught me to be humble and always trust that something big will always happen. My older brother, Carlos, gave me every physical tool I needed to become the "animal" I am today. He gave me the competitive fire inside me that keeps me from letting anyone pass me the last hundred meters. He gave me the determination to become better than anyone could have ever expected. 
 
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
 
Watch out for the future NCAA All-American Chris Ibarra in the fall! Go Coogs!

 

 

 

 

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Want to be featured in our Salute To Seniors series? Drop me an email: Txrunning@hotmail.com and answer the questions above! Congratulations to the class of 2013 on all their hard work and success.