Santa Rosa’s Alex Ayala will be suiting up for the black and gold one final time in his high school career and, fortunately for the Warrior community, it will be at the highest stage of high school track: The UIL state track and field championship meet in Austin.
However, this isn’t Ayala’s first time in the spotlight. Last year the then-junior finished in eighth place in the 300-meter hurdles, which is something he hopes to improve on come Friday.
This season, Ayala finished first in the 300-meter hurtles at the District 32-3A meet, first at the area-round meet and second at regionals.
Prior to district, the senior finished fourth at the PSJA Relays in the 300, third at the Harlingen Relays, first at the Rio Hondo Relays, first at the La Feria Relays and fourth at the Meet of Champions.
The Valley Morning Star had a chance to catch up with the senior and get to know him a little better.
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Q: Two years ago you missed a chance to qualify for state when you tripped over the final hurdle, but last year you made sure it didn’t happen again and were able to qualify for state for the first time. How was that experience? Was it intimidating performing on the big stage?
ALEX: Coming short my sophomore year gave me fuel to a fire that had been burning for a long time and pushed me further than I ever thought. So when I finally made it, it was amazing. The atmosphere, the crowd… Everything about it was fun. I was proud to be able to join my grandpa and cousin in saying we got to compete at state in our sports. When I first stepped on the track there at Austin and saw how big it really was from the track, I got excited, and whatever nerves I had just vanished and turned into excitement.
Q: This year you proved that last year’s qualification to state was no fluke. What did you learn from last year’s performance?
ALEX: I was able to learn how to run in Lane 1. I had never run in Lane 1 before so that helps me this year because I got that lane again. Last year also taught me the process of how the track meet works. The first time, I didn’t know what to expect but now I know the process so I won’t get surprised.
Q: What is the first thing you do before any race?
ALEX: After I set up my blocks and get a run out, as I’m walking back I say the Our Father and the Hail Mary prayers, and talk to my godparents. After I get into my blocks, I pause, make a cross with my arms, rub my wrists together, and look up to the sky and say I love you guys, referring to my godparents who passed away before I got to high school.
Q: Your father is part of the coaching staff at Santa Rosa. What’s it like share these experiences with him?
ALEX: It’s the best having him around. Not many kids can say they truly had a family member around their entire high school career. In every sport I take part in, we all became a family from football to golf and the track team. But being able to actually have real family has been a blessing. He didn’t allow me to slack off and that helped me get to where I am today.
Q: This is your senior year. What are you going to miss the most after graduation?
ALEX: Everything about high school, from waking up early and the drive with my dad to school, the hot two-a-day practices in football, and the brutal weight and conditioning workouts. I will also miss practicing two sports in the spring, like golf and track. Also my classes and awesome teachers, and always being around my friends. As funny as it sounds, I’m truly going to miss it all.
Q: What has been the most exciting moment of your high school athletic career?
ALEX: It’s hard to really pick one moment because I’ve had so many great times in high school. In football, I would say it was when we clinched a playoff spot for the first time in three years and I got to douse my dad in Gatorade. In golf, the struggle and the grind of trying to perfect the game and all the memories I made with my friends throughout the tournaments. And in track, finally making state and getting over that hard loss my sophomore year because it summed up who I was and what I’ve gone through.
Q: What’s the best advice you would give to future athletes at Santa Rosa?
ALEX: Don’t take anything for granted because anything can happen. I’m living proof of that. I wasn’t able to complete my junior or senior year in football due to a broke thumb my junior year and a broken collarbone my senior year. Also not to take a day off because once it’s gone it’s gone. Most importantly, enjoy it, enjoy everything, the highs, the lows, the constant grinding, everything because it only comes once; so do everything like it’s going to be the last time you ever do it.
