Every month we recognize one female and one male athlete. This month we recognize sophomore Daniel Salazar. 

Daniel Salazar runs for Birmingham’s varsity track and field team. This is his second year and will stop at nothing to reach his goals, persistent and fast. 

Q: Why choose track?

A: I chose track because it was a sport that I’ve been training with my uncle Louis for years before I joined. I do a lot of running exercises with my uncle Louis, so I figured I’d do good in that because that’s what I’ve done a lot of. 

Q: What is it like to play a sport with family?

A: Well, my brother Liam, he isn’t exactly fast, so a lot of times I have to run on my own but I would say it’s good, especially during slower days like right before a race or when i’m not doing a strenuous exercise. It’s good to have someone to talk to. 

Q: Who or what inspired you to run?

A: I’d usually say my uncle inspired me to run, but the people I think I look up to are Steve Prefontaine or Usain Bolt. 

Q: Future plans for running?

A: In the future, I plan to continue running and to do many races.

Q: What’s your favorite aspect of track?

A: I’d say at the end of the races.

Q: What was it like when you first started track?

A: When I first started track, I was fast, but there were still some people who were faster than me and so it put me in perspective since I was fastest between my brothers. I haven’t really raced against anyone a lot faster than me in distance, so it showed me how much further I had to go.

Q: What do you think you could improve in your running skills?

A: I think I could improve in my consistency.

Q: How do you think you can improve your running skills?

A: I think that I should train more than I already am and learn even better techniques.

Q: What are your goals in track?

A: My goal is to be the fastest one there.

Q: How do you keep your pace while running?

A: To keep my pace, I try to follow the fastest guy.

Q: What motivates you to run?

A: What motivates me is the chance of greatness, endurance and knowing that the end is not far away. Right after running, I think I could do more, even though I would be begging for it to end.

Q: What would you say to anyone who wants to join track? 

A: I would tell them that the start is always the hardest.