Ashley Navarro poses for a picture after finishing in the top 10 at the Junior Olympics.
By Rich Fisher
Fish4scores.com
Aug. 4: Not to be lost in the excitement of Boaz Madeus’ gold medal at the Junior Olympics, is the fact that Steinert’s rising junior Ashley Navarro also medaled with an 8th-place finish in the 800 meters with a time of 2:18.70.
Due to time constraints, Fish4scores did not have time to formulate a story. The following is a Q&A with Navarro and Rich Fisher concerning Ashley’s performance and experience at Eastern Michigan University this past Wednesday.
RF: Obvious question: how does it feel to medal in the Junior Olympics? Is this something that was even on your radar this year?
AN: To medal at Junior Olympics is a great accomplishment to know that you are within the top 10 out of 70 others amazing. I didn’t really think about getting this far. I was really just focusing on trying to get my time down and always getting a PR when I run so this is something extra that came with me working so hard.
RF: What was your goal going down there?
AN: Just to end the summer on a high note. Also I wanted to beat the girl from AAU Club Championships that beat me by a hair.
RF: I can never keep track of your PR . .was that it down there?
AN: Unfortunately that was not my PR I ran a 2:18.70 and my PR is 2:13.95.
RF: How did the race go? What was your strategy and did it play out the way you wanted?
AN: The race didn’t go at all as how I was expected to run. From the minute I went to check in and found out I was in Lane One my nerves just skyrocketed. I have never been a person to get out well in any of my races so I felt that Lane One was just going to make it worse.
Once I got down to the track and I was watching Mu (Trenton Track Club teammate Athing “Lil Mu” Mu) I was shaking. I then got to the other side to line up and I just freaked out. I started to cry and I just got myself worked up over nothing. My dad was at the finish line standing above me and so was my coach and they were trying to calm me down which they did a little bit.
Once the gun went off I got out and we were merging and I was in the back of the pack almost the entire race. I hit the first 300 meters and me and another girl clipped each other’s feet but we did not fall. I then hit the last 200 meters and told myself ‘You just have to go’ so I went for it but it felt like my legs weren’t moving. By the end of the race I finished eight.
My strategy going into the race was to stay with the girl in first the entire time and then once I hit the last 300-400 to just kick it in and just go. Unfortunately it didn’t work out the way I wanted. I am going to just come out next year and prove that I am better than everyone else that has beat me so watch out senior year because the sky’s the limit and nothing is holding me back.
RF: What was the whole experience like going there?
AN: It was great. The amount of friends I made through track is great. The amount of other club coaches that tell you congrats just makes you happy. I am so happy that I met Bo and Mu this year. They really helped me become a better runner and also a better person this weekend and the past few months that we have been together. I would like to thank them for making me realize that some people don’t even make finals so it’s an honor even to get eighth place.
RF: How much confidence does this give you going into senior year?
AN: I think my confidence for senior year is high. I just need to realize that I am better than those girls out there because I have very high expectations for myself senior year. I can’t wait to see what Steinert and Trenton Track have in store for me senior year. Also I think my confidence level is definitely going up considering that I am running with some of the top people in the nation.
RF: Anything else you want to say?
I would like to wish “Bo Knows” good luck next year at Rutgers and I can’t wait for me and Mu to come watch you and see what you achieve in college because you have great things ahead of you.
I would also like to thank coach (Al) Jennings and coach Bernice (Amaris ) for helping me become a better runner and giving me the opportunity to advance my running with the Trenton Track Club over the summer. I wouldn’t be the same runner I am today if I didn’t find Coach Jennings last year.
