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Height and home no problem for newcomer
The Advocate
5-foot-2 isn't a typical size for cross country competitors, but freshman Gabriela Diaz doesn't let that slow her down.
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Instead of depending on long legs and long strides, the Sparks, Nev., native uses her mental toughness to push the limits of what is possible.
"It hasn't been an issue (so far)," Diaz said of her height. "I don't have those long strides (like most runners). I just have to be faster than everyone."
Not only is she traditionally short for this sport, but the freshman has never competed in cross-country until this season.
"Though she is new to cross country, she has an innate athleticism and a determination to improve," said head coach Matt Hart, "while also enjoying the sport."
In two meets this season, she has finished in the top two for Saints runners. On Sept. 10 at the West Coast Conference Preview, she finished in 19:58.24 in the 5K distance and a week later, on Sept. 18, she crossed the finish line at the Sundodger Open, with a time of 24:14.35 in the 6K distance.
At Sparks High School, Diaz was a four-year letter winner in track and field, along with three letters in volleyball and basketball.
Diaz said she almost went out for the Saints volleyball team but decided that cross country would best get her in track and field shape and would keep her legs warm for spring competition.
"It's a lot of running," Diaz said about the 6K distance. "They recruited me for track and field and asked if I wanted to join the cross country team and I said yeah. I did it to stay in shape for track."
As a senior in high school she competed in the 4x200m, 4x400m, 800m and the 1500m. She was the 2A Nevada state champion in the 800m and 1500m.
How did someone from the Reno area find out about Mt. Hood?
Diaz and Hart each said it started with the help of assistant coach Mark Sellers, who deals with a large portion of the recruiting process.
"Mark Sellers found her and recruited her," Hart said. "We often find good student-athletes from Nevada. It seems like a state that a lot of coaches overlook."
Sellers added that Nevada as a state has next to nothing to offer women for track and field and cross country at the community college level.
"(I) looked at the state results the year before and contacted their coach (from Sparks High)," said Sellers on finding Diaz. "Three or four weeks later Gabriela contacted me."
Diaz made official visits in April and June and sent emails back and forth with Sellers.
After receiving offers from a handful of colleges in California, Diaz came to the conclusion that MHCC was a great fit for her and her athletic future for the first two years of college.
"I was talking with some schools in California," said Diaz. "But they were private and too expensive. So I went with Mt. Hood."
Hart is happy the team landed Diaz.
"She is tough, and, seemingly, loves to run and compete," Hart said. "Gabriela is a very positive young lady who seems to always be smiling. We expect that she will improve tremendously while also helping our women's team within our conference."
By sheer coincidence, Diaz found out that the Sparks throwing coach Sheila Po'Oi, formerly Sheila Forty, attended Mt. Hood and was track and field teammates with Matt Hart, then a student-athlete.
Hart was a first year hurdler (1992-93) and she was in her second year as a thrower.
For now Diaz wants to focus on one sport at a time — but she mentioned the idea of basketball and volleyball sounded quite appealing if the opportunity presented itself.
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