Talya Holenstein, one of the few track athletes to compete last year in La Salle’s first appearance at the 5A State Championship is back and better than ever. As a senior entering her fourteenth year of running, she is ready to return to Tracktown USA, hoping to claim the school record in the 400 meter dash.

The Falconer had the opportunity to ask Talya about her training, goals, and plans for the future.

What is your favorite part of being on the track team?

• My favorite part of being on the track team is actually the workouts we do together. They are extremely challenging at times, but to me, there is nothing like having people surrounding you that are also going through the same pain, making you laugh, and pushing you through it all the while.

Do you have any role models, or someone that pushes you to be the best you can be? If so, who?

• Someone that definitely pushes me to be my best is my dad. He has been training me ever since I was little, and has always been an encouraging support for me in all of my track endeavors.

What are your goals for this season for yourself and the team?

• My goals for this season are to break the school record in the 400 meter dash, and to qualify the girls 4×100 meter and 4×400 meter relay teams to state and place higher than we did last year, hopefully breaking school records in the process.

What events do you do? Which is your favorite?

• I run the 400 meter, 200 meter, 4×100, and 4×400 relays. My favorite event is the 4×400 because it is always the last event at a meet, and a lot of times comes down to the wire, making it very exciting.

How often do you practice?

• I practice every day with the exception of one weekend day, usually Sunday, when I rest.

Did you do any training or conditioning between last season and this season?

• I did a lot of winter training this past offseason in order to prep for this upcoming season. Usually my winter training starts around December and goes through February to the start of the season.

Do you feel that you and your team are prepared to give State another shot this year?

• At this point it is hard to tell where the team is right now as a whole. [However], I feel confident that we have the talent and drive to make it back to state this year and succeed.

Are you planning on doing track in college? If so, where would you like to run?

• I am planning on doing track in college. I am currently looking at Cal Poly and Pepperdine as two top schools that I would like to run at.

What is the highest level you have competed at?

• The highest level I have competed at is state, but I would like to compete at the national level in college.

What is your favorite memory of your high school track career?

• My favorite moment from track thus far is probably when I broke 58 seconds in the 400 for the first time last year at the state meet. This was an all­ time best for me, a goal which I had not thought attainable for myself last season. It is a really special memory because gives me motivation to work hard and strive for times that may seem unreachable in the moment, but can become a reality if I put enough into it.

What is your favorite place to run or compete?

• My favorite place to compete is at the Centennial Invitational. I am comfortable on that track because I have been running on it since I was little, which helps to ease my nerves and keep me calm.

***

Come out and watch Talya and the rest of the Track and Field athletes at the next home track meet on April 20th, when we host Wilsonville High School.