Vince Castillo
1. Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions Vince. Looking back at your running career up to this point, you've been running at the State Meet since 2013. You've had a lot of success at that level recently, with two 300H State Titles, and a 3rd place in the 110H in 2014 after making it for the first time in that event. Talk about your experience at the State Championships. What was it like to win a state championship, and was it more difficult the second year with that added pressure?
First time running at the state meet was something I would remember for the rest of my life. I was the most nervous I could ever be. Making it back to the state meet for the second time I had something to prove which was I can bounce back and win a title. And including the following year was to prove I was still the best hurdler in the state of Texas
2. You've had more success in the 300H. Do you view yourself as a 300H specialist? What clicked for you last season in the 110H that enabled you to make it to states?
Yes I strongly believe that I am a 300 specialist. I like the room in between the hurdles. I wanted to prove to everyone that I can compete in both the 110 and 300 hurdles
3. Hopefully by now everyone has seen the Texas Outdoor season has started. You competed in the Pharr Winter Relays, how does it feel to get the track season going again?
Feels good to finally race against other people and get the first race out of the way. let all the nerves get out.
4. There's understandably a lot of focus on the pole vault, both nationally & in Texas as we just saw the indoor national record go down. Texas boys pole vault is incredibly strong, but right up there with that type of talent is the hurdles. Texas has a ton of great guys in the hurdles right now, are there any athletes you look forward to competing against? How do other talented athletes help elevate your game to the next level?
I strongly believe that Texas has of the best athlete all around in every event. Texas is known for having some of the best sprinters so therefore theres going to be really good at the hurdles.
5. Hurdling is a very technical track event. What aspect of hurdling has proven most difficult? And what have you done to improve it?
To improve my hurdle game. ive been taking a lot of yoga to be for flexible. Also learning how to be faster over the hurdle.
6. Once you get to a meet, walk us through what you're pre-race routine looks like, and do you have a specific music playlist? Any superstitions? etc
Once I get to the meet I walk the field with my coach seeing which way we are running feeling the track if its hard or soft. figuring out which way the wind is blowing. if the meets all day I jog about every 3 hours so my legs are ready to go. And I mostly hear Metallica to get ready.
7. Up to this point in your career, what race or result has meant the most to you? Is there a win/result at a certain venue or meet that has eluded you?
One of the best races ive been apart of is when sophomore year meet of champs mile relay. Getting the baton in 5th place with a 60 year gap to first. Coming around the track something just happened and I ran the fastest split ive ever ran I believe it was a 46 split and I first place medal
8. Give a bit of insight into a person(s) you look up to that has been a positive influence on your running.
The person that pushed me to run my best and do my best was my older brother Richard. He was a hurdler for the redskins as well. Seeing him run made me wanna run even more. That's where it all started
9. An athlete has to be incredibly focused to succeed in the short hurdle races where every single step counts. What do you do to get rid of distractions leading up to the gun going off, and what are the final thoughts running through your head?
I have to remain focus at all times. Knowing that everyone is gunning for me reminds me that I need to stay focus on what I want.
10. You've had a lot of success on the track in past years, now entering your final Texas HS Season, what are your goals?
my goals this year is to brake the valley record in the 110 and 300 hurdles. and defending my title in the 300 hurdles and get a first place medal in the 110 as well.
11. Random Question to wrap it up. If you could put together a shuttle hurdle relay with three other athletes at any level (HS,College,Pro), which three would you choose?
The first person I would pick would be kevin young the 400 hurdler from the Olympics. I would also pick liu xiang the 110 hurdler from china. last choice would be lolo jones one the best hurdler for the USA.