Vyha Nguyen won Rookie of the Year for Varsity Track and
Field, representing Hendrick Hudson High School. Nguyen, 15, was born and
raised in Peekskill, NY where she currently resides. I had the opportunity to
do a one-on-one interview with her.
Me: Hey, thanks for taking time out of your schedule
for this interview. You won Rookie of the Year as a scholar athlete for
Hendrick Hudson. That's incredible. Congratulations!
Vy-Ha: Thank you so much!
Me: You're welcome. This is such a huge
accomplishment. How long have you been running track?
Vy-Ha: I started running modified track in eighth
grade. Now that I'm in high school, I've been running for the varsity track and
field team.
Me: And you're a freshmen this year, right?
Vy-Ha: Yes
Me: Do you feel a lot of pressure being so young on
the varsity team?
Vy-Ha: Yes and no. Yes, because it becomes very
intense and competitive during the track meets but no, due to the fact that
running is a love of mine.
Me: I see what you mean. When you're passionate about
something it becomes like second nature to you, right?
Vy-Ha: Definitely.
Me: So how does your coach help you train for meets?
Vy-Ha: I have three: Coach Bails, Coach Riley, and
Coach Yee. All three of them help me train for the meets by working on my
stamina, my forms, and my speed. I would usually do many sprinter drills and
practice the events I will be doing throughout the season.
Me: Do you ever get nervous?
Vy-Ha: I'm always nervous before I run in a race.
Me: Really? What helps you to do so well despite your
nerves?
Vy-Ha: I would just run. Once I'm running, my
nervousness is out of my system.
Me: I used to run track when I was in high school and
I was the same way. What motivated you to start running?
Vy-Ha: I was always interested in running but was
never serious about it until a friend of mine told me to try modified track.
When I ran my first race, I was so nervous that I actually fell. After that, I
wanted to make sure that I wouldn't do so and I wanted to improve my speed.
Me: It's a good thing your friend mentioned it to you
and it's admirable that you didn't allow that one fall to stop you from
running.
Vy-Ha: Thank you. I always laugh at it whenever I
look back at that moment.
Me: Yeah, it's good that you can laugh about it now.
Do you plan on going pro after high school?
Vy-Ha: When you say "going pro after high
school" do you mean running in college?
Me: Yes. Scouts are always watching.
Vy-Ha: Then, yes. I would hate to stop running.
Me: Which event do you run? The 100-meter? The
200-meter?
Vy-Ha: In the winter, I would run the 55 meter dash,
55 meter hurdles, 200 meter, and sometimes a 4x200 relay. In the spring, I'll
be running the 100 meter, 200 meter, and a 4x200 relay but I've been told to
work on my 400 meter for the upcoming event, Penn Relays.
Me: Wow, so you do a lot! What date is set for Penn
Relays?
Vy-Ha: We're not sure of what day we will be going
but it's April 23-25.
Me: Oh okay. Well that's coming up soon. Do you play
any other sports off season?
Vy-Ha: No. Track seems to be the only sport that I
enjoy doing and that I’m good at.
Me: There's nothing wrong with that. You found what
you're great at. What do you like to do in your spare time when you aren't
running?
Vy-Ha: I like to draw, play my guitar and sing or
write in my spare time. I also enjoy photography.
Me: Nice! You seem very well rounded. Who do you look
up to the most?
Vy-Ha: Lauren Mandelkow. She is a sophomore who is
doing track as well. She's my inspiration. From the moment I saw her run, I
wanted to run as fast as her. I dream to be successful as she is in track.
Me: She's on your team?
Vy-Ha: Yes.
Me: Oh, that's cool. Are you two close?
Vy-Ha: I guess you can say we are in some ways.
Whenever I need help, she'll be there and vice versa.
Me: That's great. Is your family supportive of you
running track? They must be proud.
Vy-Ha: They are always encouraging me and are very
supportive.
Me: That's excellent.
Vy-Ha: Haha, I agree.
Me: Do you have a favorite quote or saying that
inspires you?
Vy-Ha: In running, it doesn't matter whether you come
in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.'
There is a lot of satisfaction in that." - Fred Lebow
Me: That's a good quote! Thanks so much for the
interview. It sounds like you have a bright future ahead of you. I wish you the
best at Penn Relays!
Vy-Ha: Thank you so much!
Me: Thank you.
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