Allyson Arellano had a busy summer, now that her sister is following in her footsteps.
The Mingus Union High School junior is practicing for the beginning of competition in her fall cross-country season Monday, Sept. 7, less than three months after bringing home gold medals in three events at the Arizona Junior Olympics and the USA Track and Field state championships.
“I really want to break 18 [minutes] in the 5K,” she said. “More long-distance, [but] I can run middle-distance, too.”
Arellano beat all other 15- to 16-year-old girls in the 800-, 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs at both meets. She was named USATF Athlete of the Week on May 12 for her state and regional cross-country championships and All-American honors at USATF nationals in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Not to be outdone, her older sister Karen took home a silver and a bronze medal, respectively, from the 800- and 3,000-meter runs in the 17- and 18-year-old girls division at Junior Olympics after winning the 1,500 and the 3,000 two weeks earlier at State.
“I feel like I’m on track with most runners that are my age,” she said. “I would like to break five minutes for the 1,500[-meter] this coming track season.”
For the full story and Aftershock fall schedule, please see the Wednesday, Aug. 26, issue of the Cottonwood Journal Extra.
