Delaware Sports Blitz Interview: Delaware Tech’s Kevin Cruz

Photo: Delaware Technical Community College

Delaware Technical Community College student-athletes interviews are back! Every Thursday, Delaware Sports Blitz will feature interviews with the student-athletes from the Community College.

The student-athlete we are featuring this week comes from Delaware Tech’s men’s cross country team, which is Kevin Cruz.

Cruz talks about everything from how he started playing sports to placing 4th on his team at the 2019 NJCAA Region XIX Cross Country Championship.

Check out it below!

Related:

Delaware Sports Blitz Interview: Delaware Tech’s Morgan Donahue

How did you start playing sports?
“The reason I started playing sports is from being an active person since I was little. I played soccer and baseball growing up and neighborhood basketball. I started running when I was in middle school. The school I went to did not have sports teams, so I decided to start running on my own since it’s really healthy and simple.”

What adjustments did you have to make from the jump of high school to college, regarding the sport you play?
“The major adjustments I had to make is the increase in running mileage and meeting up at different locations around the state.”

How do you keep yourself in game shape in the off-season for your sport?
“I keep myself in shape by running during the week and eating healthy during winter, spring, and summer.”

What is the best part of playing your sport?    

“I’m a second-year runner and know what to expect, and enjoy setting an example for my teammates.”

What has a former or current coach taught you, that you still use today on or off the playing field?
“A strategy I use is to always push through and never stop running. A thing my coach says is, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.”

What is a typical day for you when the season is in full force?
“A typical day during the full force of the season is getting up to attend my classes and then switching gears to go into practice mode.”

What do you feel is your greatest strength?
“I feel my greatest strength is always attending practice and meets and giving the best that I can every day.”

What do you feel you are weakest at and what do you work on to improve it?
“I feel that I am the weakest when it comes to balancing everything that goes on with school and my personal life. But I just keep moving forward and give it my best all the time.”

Describe some of the highlights of your athletic career.
“One of the highlights of my athletic career would be from my first season. I was a regional champion, placing 4th on my team at the 2019 NJCAA Region XIX Cross Country Championship.”

What is the best part of playing on a team?

“The best part of being on a team is the friendship and memories you create during practices and races.”

How do you stay motivated during the highs and lows of a season?
“I stay motivated during the highs and lows of a season by taking it one day at a time. Yes, some days are the worst struggles, but it will go by if you push through. At the end of the day or week, you realize how strong you are.”

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced and how did you overcome it?
“One of the biggest challenges I have faced is balancing practice times with my personal life and class schedule. I am someone who plans the week ahead so that I can have a successful week, and at the end of the day, it is an awesome thing to check things off the list.”

In what ways, does playing a sport, help you with your studies?
“Playing a sport helps me with my studies because it keeps me busy and keeps me away from distractions when I’m not in the classroom.”

How would you like to be remembered by your teammates and coaches?
“I would like to be remembered as the guy that was always happy to see his team and always brings a laugh.”

Why did you choose to play at Delaware Tech?
“I chose to run for Delaware Tech because I know that it is a limited experience being there and wanted to keep up my strength for my running career.”