In this post‑race interview, senior runner Fatima Cortes reflects on the Great Oak Girls Varsity Distance Medley Relay (DMR) victory at the Great Oak meet in Temecula. She describes her personal race experience, noting how she gauged her effort during the first two laps, focused on a strong finish and a final kick, and tried to set the pace for her teammates. Fatima acknowledges creating a sizable early gap but still securing first place. The conversation also covers team dynamics: the handoff was a bit wonky, prompting a need for smoother exchanges, and the lineup adjustment caused by the absence of teammate Tori, with Megan stepping in and performing well in the 400‑meter leg. Fatima emphasizes the importance of running for the team, gaining more race experience, and improving coordination for future competitions.
I'm here with Great Oak DMR team from Temecula. You got first place, congratulations. Can you please introduce yourself?
I'm Fatima Cortes, senior.
Fatima, how did the race go for you?
It went pretty well. The first two laps I was just trying to figure out how I felt because I haven't raced like this, anything except for the 4x8 earlier today. I was just trying to see like how I felt and just trying to really finish strong and work on my kick. How about for you, I was just trying to see where I was at with them at the start to see how the pace was, and then hopefully after that, improve it. So I was trying to take a lead in the beginning. I think just race, like, for all my teammates and try to win. I was just trying to keep the pace, but I made a big gap, which was not the best, but I still took 1st.
What are some things What are some things that you guys learned from this race that you guys can improve for next time?
I'm just gonna try to run for my team every time, that's about it. Same for me, also the handoff was a little wonky, but hopefully this time we can work on that. Just to get more experience so that we can learn to, because this isn't usually like, it's a different lineup than usual, so it's good to learn how everyone works with them. I just think we need to get a little bit more experience in. We're just trying to figure out where we're at and doing more races will hopefully get us further in the future.
And how was the adjustment with not having Tori and being a DMR team? Because she was planning on being part of the DMR team.
Um, it was— I don't think it had a big impact, but it definitely changed the feeling a little bit. We had to pivot to Megan, but she did really well in the 400 and some of our legs trained, but I think it was really good to also perform really well.
Yeah. Well, congratulations and thank you for your time. Thank you.
