Running since she was seven-years-old, senior Catalina Quinteros knows what it feels like to cross the finish line after a tough race. Inspired by her parents’ athleticism, Quinteros has always harbored a special love for sports. Now a senior at Coral Gables Senior High, she will shortly depart from the cross country team, a squad that contributes to a large part of her identity.
When she entered George Washington Carver Middle School, Quinteros had already been running for a couple of years. Growing up, her parents were very active. Originally from Argentina, her parents ran marathons and played sports for fun.
Throughout Quinteros’ childhood, her parents encouraged her to pursue sports like cross country. Once she joined the team at her middle school, she discovered her true love for running.
In her debut year, Quinteros was first place on the junior varsity team, but as she trained more fervently, she progressed. In no time, she became the fastest runner on varsity in eighth grade. With this newfound talent of hers, Quinteros was eager to join cross country at Gables, which she remained loyal to.
“Because of my middle school experiences I was able to find my love for running. Once I got to Gables I decided that it wasn’t going to let my passion go. I joined cross country again, and I’ve been in it ever since. It also allowed me to represent the school and leave my mark on Gables, which is something I was really looking for,” senior Catalina Quinteros said.
This year, Quinteros became captain of the girls team. Although the cross country season is brief, she has learned a lot as a runner, especially discipline. Even on the toughest days in which she is sore, a smile is seen on her face at practice.
Whilst a Cavalier, this athlete has attended the state championships for cross country three times. Apart from the team’s successes, Quinteros values cross country the most for the friendships it has brought and the positive attitude she was forced to endorse at every race or practice. Her Gables teammates and coaches have become family she depended on.
“The best runners will have a positive attitude, a focused mindset and a strong physical shape. It’s really important to realize this, because once you do, you will know what you have to improve on in order to become a top runner,” senior Quinteros said.
Encouraging the girls to push themselves to their limits, Quinteros treats every member of the team, varsity or not, as if they are her closest friends. She motivates them to keep running, cracking some jokes here and then. Whether it be hanging out after school or texting Graphics Interchange Formats in the group chat, she unifies the girls with her vibrant attitude.
“Cross country is a sport that’s not only highly physically challenging, but it’s extremely mentally challenging. The best runners aren’t specifically the fastest, but they are the ones who are the strongest,” senior Quinteros said.
Preparing for states, the girls team anxiously awaits their meet in Tallahassee. The final stretch of the cross country season is upon them, which means it is time to break some personal records. In her own realm, Quinteros is preparing them mentally and physically to compete with some of the top teams in the state.
“States is the most important meet of the year, and it’s a very meaningful one. This is their opportunity to look upon their achievements. Whether it be the ending of a chapter in their lives, like mine, or just the beginning of a new chapter, it is an exciting time for everyone. We all desperately want to show off our success this season at States, and hopefully we will place,” senior Quinteros said.
Continuing on her pathway of athletic success, Quinteros has recently signed with the University of Virginia on a scholarship to play in Division 1 field hockey. Playing on the Key Biscayne Field Hockey team since she was seven, Quinteros has become exceptionally skilled at this sport. In her eyes, this is the biggest moment of her athletic career so far, but she hopes to play professionally for a European team and maybe even qualify for the Olympics.
“High school sports has taught me a lot, and I will always be grateful for the lessons I’ve learned at Gables. It’s unbelievable to me that I’m being recognized by colleges, especially the University of Virginia. It has taken so much work to get where I am now. So much dedication, discipline and time have gone into my athletic career, and I can’t wait to show off my skills on [a] U.S. team,” senior Quinteros said.
