Getting To Know Angelina Vasquez

Track & Field | November 21, 2023

The latest “Getting To Know” features freshman distance runner Angelina Vasquez from Barstow, Calif.  She competes for USC in cross country and track and field.  She has a high school best in the 800m of 2:12.61.
 
Q: Being from California have you always known that you wanted to stay here for school or did you think about going out of state?
 
A.V.: The possibility of going out of state was definitely out there. Of course, I wanted the best offer and somewhere I would feel more at home. For me SC has been my dream school since freshman year, so I was definitely striving towards getting here. More towards my senior year I started really pushing for it more. I didn’t think I really had the times, but once I was in communication with the coach I became super focused on SC. I do have family in L.A, so it was perfect. It’s not too far from home and my family lives five minutes away. My first time flying was a few weeks ago to Washington for the Pac-12’s.
 
Q: How was it?
 
A.Z.: Coach Harris announced it in the air on the plane that it was my first flight and they gave me a certificate. I was laughing so hard. I enjoyed flying back because I was able to see the city and the lights. It was so peaceful. 
 
Q: How was your experience at your first Pac-12’s?
 
A.V.: It was interesting because I expected to feel so nervous, but I didn’t. I think it was because of my teammates. Being around them, I just feel so calm and collected. I always feel like they have my back and I always have their back regardless of how I was feeling that day.
 
Q: Would it be fair to say that some of your confidence this season has come from the fact that you know you’ve got such a strong support system from your teammates?
 
A.V.: 100 percent. The amount of times they’ve had my back during workouts is insane. Cross-country and track training is no joke. We’re out there doing 10, 12 miles with speed sometimes and running alone you definitely need someone to say, “Hey good job”. That can take you one more mile. Having them mile by mile, 800m by 800m goes a long way. We all like to uplift each other. We’ve done a lot of activities with our psychologist, Nicki, that’s helped us. I feel like that plays a big part in uplifting each other a lot.
 
Q: Does your interest in being a sports…