Fleet Feet

Hastings leads a new and improved cross-country squad
By Bill Konigsberg

Last fall, the Sun Devil harriers broke through on a national level. This year, their coach thinks they’ll be even better, despite the loss of their best male runner.

"I’m really confident were going to be as good if not better than last fall. I think we’ll contend for a national championship,” head coach Louie Quintana said.

In 2004, in just his first year as head coach, Quintana led both the men’s and women’s squads to top 10 finishes nationally. The men’s 8th place finish was the best in the 43-year history of the program; the women’s 9th place finish was its second best.

"We really talked a lot about what we needed to do to be good,” said Quintana. “We kept a good upbeat attitude all year, and that seemed to really work. It was a little shot of adrenaline, being a little younger and so eager to get the job done.”

Leading the way was All-American Amy Hastings, who became the first Sun Devil man or woman to win the Pac-10 championship title. A junior, Hastings was named Pac-10 Cross Country Athlete of the Year.

"If we do what I think we can do this year it’s because of her enthusiasm,” said Quintana. “She’s the kind of girl who, every time she laces up her shoes, it’s to win.”

On the men’s side, the improvement will come with standout Aaron Aguayo on the sidelines.

Aguayo earned All-America honors with a 22nd place finish at the NCAA Championships last year, running the final 1,000 meters with a foot so black and blue he wouldn’t compete for a full year.

In the preliminary round of the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Aguayo was in second place with about 1,000 meters to go. Coming off a barrier, he heard a pop; he didn’t know he’d just torn the plantar fascia in his right foot. Despite incredible pain, Aguayo finished the race in sixth place. He has two more years of eligibility, but will redshirt this fall.

"That’s a perfect example of who he is,” said Quintana. "He has the right combination of passion, talent and drive to have a very successful career, maybe make an Olympic or world championship team.”


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Photo: Courtesy of ASU Media Relations

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