Sophomore Elena Inouye has continued to improve upon her impressive freshman season, helping the UC San Diego women's cross country team to a second place finish during the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championships in Mckinleyville on October 24. The Torrance, Calif. Native finished at 23:45.1 to place 19th at the CCAA Championships two weeks ago, marking her fourth top-20 finish of the 2009 season. Inouye got ready for her showing at the conference championships with a strong performance at the Triton Classic, where she was the second UCSD runner to finish, placing 13th overall in this event for the second year in a row with a final time of 22:58.1. “Elena has been a real key racer for us this year, both on and off the course,” said Head Coach Nate Garcia. “The progress she has made during the season has really helped us take the step to the next level.” Inouye shed some light on her progress as a UCSD student-athlete on the cross country team before leaving to San Francisco for the NCAA West Regional Championships on Saturday.

Q: What are your thoughts on your personal and the team's performance at the CCAA Championships in McKinleyville last weekend? How do you hope to continue momentum heading into the NCAA Division II West Regionals?
INOUYE: Although I was unhappy about my race at Conference, the team's performance definitely overshadowed my personal race. Getting 2nd place was quite exciting! In talking with my teammates, I feel that we took so much more than just our placing. We were all able to pick out areas where we knew there could be improvement. Going into Regionals with that awareness of our weaknesses and the confidence that we can make those changes sets us up for success.

Q: In 2008, you were named CCAA Freshman of the Year after finishing 18th overall with a time of 23:12.4. How important was earning Freshman of the Year honors last season?
INOUYE: It was quite a surprise, but it definitely boosted my confidence.

Q: Do you set personal goals for yourself at the beginning of each season? What goals did you have prior to the 2009 season?
INOUYE: Nate[Garcia] talks with each of us individually during the summer to set goals for the season. This year my main focus is to minimize the gap time between me and [UCSD cross country teammate] Bre [Schofield]. I want to be within 30-45 seconds behind her.

Q: What impact has Coach Nate Garcia had on you since joining the UCSD cross country team? How has he helped your development as a runner?
INOUYE: Nate has helped me gain a better understanding of myself. I've shared a couple of conversations with him that have made me think about my beliefs and how they influence my actions and interactions with others. I'm grateful that he's approachable and eager to offer advice in becoming not just a more mature runner, but a more mature person as well. Under his guidance and training sequences I have developed into a stronger runner than I was in high school.

Q: Can you describe the UCSD cross country team dynamic and how it has helped you improve your own running style?
INOUYE: It's an interesting balance between work and play. During workouts we sometimes laugh and crack jokes, yet we don't mess around to the point where we struggle to get our work done. I think the balance is why I enjoy being on the team so much. It's not so serious and intense that you forget to enjoy the sport. Running is still my stress reliever, not stress causer.

Q: In high school, you competed as both a member of the cross country and basketball teams. In what way has your high school basketball experience helped you during your cross country career?
INOUYE: High school basketball made me realize that I definitely belong out running on a course rather than up and down a court. I sat on the bench for most of my short-lived high school basketball career, and when I did play I would be so nervous about messing up that I didn't particularly enjoy playing.

Q: Describe your most memorable racing experience.
INOUYE: Probably the 5k during the CCAA Track and Field Championships last year. Each lap I kept switching places with this one girl—it felt like a battle of who was mentally tough enough to stick it out. And then a little over halfway through, she gave up. I didn't PR or score, but I was so happy afterwards because I felt engaged and focused throughout the whole race.

Q: Do you listen to music to get pumped before a big race? What's on your iPod right now?
INOUYE: Yes I do! On my iPod right now is “Wedding Dress” by Matt Nathanson & Owl City's Ocean Eyes album. But before races, “Oh Go” by The Pack pumps me up like no other.

Q: Can you tell us something the average fan wouldn't know about cross country?
INOUYE: Passing someone who is only two steps in front of you is a LOT harder than it looks. So when you yell at us to go faster… it may not look like it, but we're really trying.

Q: What was your biggest motivation for coming to UC San Diego?
INOUYE: The solid Cross Country and Track & Field programs and the strong science education I could gain.

Q: Aside from cross country, what is your favorite UCSD sport to watch?
INOUYE: Either volleyball or basketball. Both are exciting!

Q: What is the reason you initially started competing in cross country? What does it mean to you to be competing at the collegiate level?
INOUYE: My third grade teacher saw me keeping up with the boys when we'd run during PE and suggested that I try out for cross country. I think she was just being nice, but I joined in high school and fell in love with it. I feel so blessed to be competing at the collegiate level. God has given me this amazing opportunity to fully maximize my talents. From improving my racing skills and sharpening my mental toughness to enjoying the close bonds with teammates and discovering more about myself, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything!

Q: You are a Chemistry major in Revelle College. What has been your favorite class at UCSD so far and why?
INOUYE: This sounds super nerdy, but CHEM 6BL. It was a ton of work and super stressful, but I really enjoyed making crystals and watching the titration solution turn a pink rose color. It was my first time being in an actual lab, so it had that fascination factor as well.

Q: How have your aspirations to become a nutritionist influenced your training and preparation?
INOUYE: My aspirations have made me curious as to why we need certain foods and vitamins and how they affect performance. I'm definitely more health conscious of what I eat because of what I have learned.

Q: Which member or members of the UCSD cross country team do you look up to the most? Which member of the team makes you laugh the hardest? Who would you say has the best fashion sense?
INOUYE: Nina Su's attitude and actions reflect her strong faith in God, and she just glorifies Him in everything she does. It's amazing and something I truly admire. And Bre Schofield's determination and tough mentality is incredible. That girl does not back down. Her drive to excel in this sport inspires me to work hard.

Our whole team is pretty funny, but Caprice [Thompson]'s laugh is the most infectious. I can't help but laugh when I'm around her. And last but not least, Marie [Schaper] has a stylin' sense of fashion that is Gossip Girl worthy!

 

 

Previous Q & A Articles

David Morton (Men's Water Polo) October 28, 2009

Juan Pablo Carillo (Men's Swimming) October 19, 2009

Sara Spaventa (Women's Soccer) October 10, 2009

Karen Reis (Women's Volleyball) October 2, 2009

Daniel Pavitt (Men's Soccer) September 23, 2009

Daniel Anderson (Cross Country) September 11, 2009

Peter Gresham (Men's Water Polo) September 2, 2009

Alexia Zatarain (Women's Soccer) August 24, 2009

Elaine Chen (Women's Volleyball) August 12, 2009

Jared Kukura (Men's Soccer) July 30, 2009

Dawn Lee (Former Women's Soccer Standout) July 8, 2009

Rob Mamula (Director of Athletic Performance) June 18, 2009

Garrett Imeson (Baseball) June 8, 2009

Leon Baham (Men's Track & Field) May 21, 2009

Kristyn Lesovsky (Softball) May 8, 2009

Kazumi Negishi (Men's Tennis) May 5, 2009

Laiah Blue (Women's Track & Field) April 16, 2009

Ryan Andre (Men's Crew) April 2, 2009

Josh Tanner (Baseball) March 24, 2009

Anju Shimura (Women's Swimming) March 7, 2009

Stephanie Bocian (Women's Water Polo) February 20, 2009

Lauren Chastain (Softball) February 5, 2009

A.J. Maulhardt (Men's Basketball) January 28, 2009

Annette Ilg (Women's Basketball) January 22, 2009

Steven Hardy (Men's Swimming) January 13, 2009

Frank Fritsch (Men's Volleyball) January 5, 2009

Kendall Bohn (Women's Swimming) December 22, 2008

Kelvin Kim (Men's Basketball) December 15, 2008

Michelle Osier (Women's Basketball) December 5, 2008

Sylvia Schmidt (Women's Volleyball) November 7, 2008

Denny Harper (Men's Water Polo Head Coach) October 17, 2008

Ron Larsen (USA Volleyball Assistant Coach) October 13, 2008

Jessica McGovern (Women's Soccer) October 6, 2008

Bre Schofield (Cross Country) September 26, 2008

Tony Fernandez (Men's Soccer) September 18,2008

Kimberly Carpenter (Women's Volleyball) September 12, 2008

A.J. Kotanjian (Men's Water Polo) September 2, 2008

Peter Akman (Men's Soccer) August 21, 2008

Natasha Belak-Berger (Women's Soccer) August 15, 2008

Jake LaVieux (Men's Cross Country) August 8, 2008

Dr. Penny Rue (Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs) July 30, 2008

Michelle Torres (Women's Volleyball) July 15, 2008

Jon Pascale (Men's Soccer Head Coach) July 1, 2008

Julie Ertel (Athletics) June 16, 2008

Clint Allard (Men's Basketball) June 9, 2008

Jen Myers (Women's Crew) May 27, 2008

Casey Ryan (Men's Track and Field and Men's Basketball) May 21, 2008