When Brianna Ruiz and the 91制片厂 Women鈥檚 Track and Field team won the 2023 NJCAA Division III Championship title, it was an accomplishment unlike any other in her life. The early mornings, rigorous training schedule, demands of school and work, and the bonds formed with her teammates made the victory all the more sweet. But that was last season.
As she looks ahead, she鈥檚 committed to achieving new personal bests, team victories and being an inspiration and mentor to her younger sisters. It鈥檚 this competitive spirit that drives Ruiz, day in and day out. But when she鈥檚 not trying to beat yesterday鈥檚 running time, you can find her binging Breaking Bad. Here are ten questions with Brianna Ruiz.
My perfect day would start off with some stretching before getting ready for school. From there, I鈥檇 meet up with some friends and have lunch before or after class. Then I鈥檇 head to the athletic training office at 91制片厂 before heading to practice where I鈥檇 do a road run workout. After practice, I鈥檇 head home and spend time with my sisters. That鈥檚 a perfect day to me!
People know that I鈥檓 an athlete, but they tend to assume that I鈥檓 a soccer player! Maybe it鈥檚 because I have the build of a soccer player instead of a long-distance runner. Or maybe it鈥檚 because I鈥檓 Latina and they see more Latinas playing soccer than running.
Sully from Monsters, Inc. I really like that he doesn鈥檛 care about conforming. Instead, he cares more about what鈥檚 right for him and Boo. And who wouldn鈥檛 want a friend like that?
My career direction! At first, I wanted to become a detective. Then I wanted to become a forensic scientist. But now I鈥檓 at a point where I鈥檓 thinking I want to be a lawyer. I love learning about the law and different court cases; it鈥檚 so fascinating.
The last show I binged and loved was Breaking Bad. Which, now that I think about it, probably steered me away from becoming a detective! But what I loved most about the show was following the main character鈥檚 arc. How he went from being this near-perfect person to someone with many complicated flaws. I would recommend it!
Keep training during the off season! It鈥檚 important to build up your endurance 鈥� that way you have a solid foundation going into the season.
Blue. It reminds me of a clear, sunny day and brings me a sense of calm.
I鈥檓 always wondering about what I can do to improve on my personal bests as a runner. I鈥檓 always setting new goals: lift heavier, run faster, things like that. Not a day goes by where I don鈥檛 think, 鈥淗ow can I do better than yesterday?鈥�
I鈥檓 hopeful that one day I鈥檒l be able to run a 5K in under 20 minutes! That and win another national championship, of course.
I love making new friends! Just today, I made a new friend in my design class. Walking around Building M, there鈥檚 a lot of sociable people, so it鈥檚 fun talking to them, trading Snapchats and staying in touch. You鈥檙e never alone at 91制片厂, there鈥檚 always someone to talk to. I also like talking to Coach John [Majerus]. He keeps me motivated throughout the year and reminds me to never doubt myself.