|
Friday, August 19, 2005
One hurdle at a time, Lara inches her way to the top
By Mike T. Limpag
Sun.Star Correspondent
Sixteen year-old Lara Jane Que is in Cebu for a vacation – but she’s not just touring.
Her mornings are not spent tanning in the beach, but sweating it out at the Cebu City Sports Center under track coach Precing Capampangan. Her afternoons are not for window shopping but for working out at Metrosports with a personal trainer.
And just to keep her vacation honest, the 5-foot-7 bronzed beauty also goes malling on weekends with close friend and fellow balikbayan Katrina Miñoza.
Que, daughter of June and former runner Eulogio, holds the 100-meter hurdle record in Ridgewood High School in New Jersey at 14.6 seconds. Capampangan, the Team Cebu City and University of Cebu track coach, said the record is just a shade slower than veteran internationalist Elma Muros’ personal record of 14.3.
The previous Ridgewood High record was 15 seconds set in 1988, the year Que was born.
Her personal best two years ago in her choice event was 17.4. In 2004, she lowered it to 15.7. A lot of medals and trophies later, it’s down to 14.6.
“I’ve never had a runner who had shaved that much time,” said Capampangan during the Scoop forum at Baseline Restaurant yesterday.
“My goal this year is to go 14 flat,” said Que, whose personal best in the 100m is 12.4 seconds and 26.4 in the 200m.
Loves poetry
Despite her dedication to her training, Que, who also dabbles in poetry and loves biology and English, is not all about the need for speed.
“I’d like to get into a good college in the US through athletics,” she said.
For a chance to represent the country, which is still relying on the aging Muros in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games: “I’d do it in a heartbeat just as long as it doesn’t interfere with my studies.”
Que, though, is not closing the door on studying in the Philippines: “I plan to pursue medicine just like my mother. I’m only sixteen, who knows?”
“She’s really determined, very focused and motivated. She’s all around, well balanced,” said Miñoza, Que’s friend since she was four-years-old.
(August 19, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
