“I really like winning.”

Senior Mariana Chapa isn't the typical "distinguished" student. Excellent in the classroom, Mariana has earned accolades far and wide for her studies including media recognition courtesy of Fox 26's "Making the Grade". She makes sure to schedule plenty of time for homework, and she wants to be a dentist. 

Away from her desk, though, Mariana is as hungry a competitor as they come.

As of the writing of this article, she is a multiple-time state champion and holds the Village records for the 3200m in cross country and the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m on the track.

In the seven cross-country meets she took part in throughout the 2023 season, she won four of them. At the State Championship meet, she dropped 30 seconds from her 2022 time and earned herself a silver medal.

When asked what motivated her, Mariana was quick and to the point. "I really like winning."

Dr. Michael Walker, head coach of the Village cross country program, is a firsthand witness of Mariana's desire to win. "Mariana's competitive spirit is probably her strongest characteristic on the cross country and track teams. I think that if you asked her, and if she were to answer honestly, Mariana would say that she doesn't actually love running. If you've ever seen her train or compete, this will be hard to believe. What I think that Mariana actually loves, is excelling."

Ever striving for that elusive perfection Mariana is dedicated to seeking out any improvement, no matter how insignificant it may seem. A work ethic that Dr. Walker says has "never wavered." 

This season, that improvement manifested as a focus on better rest, something that Mariana pointed out has helped her both on the course and in the classroom.

"If she has made progress in any one area," Dr. Walker says, "it is to finally embrace the importance of a rest day or an easy run. That there is a strategic benefit to allowing healing and recovery time…She is a gifted and hard-working runner, and when she is well rested and feeling well, Mariana is truly dominant out on a course."

The advice and instruction Mariana has gleaned from her coaches has been important to her, not just for her senior season, but throughout her entire career at Village. 

"Coach Doc Walk has been there since the beginning of my cross-country journey at The Village School, and I could not be more grateful for the patience that he had with us and the plans that were made for Long Run Saturdays with breakfast. I appreciate Coach Zhang for running with us and always motivating runners in and outside of practice."

As Mariana advances to her life after high school she leaves behind a legacy that is impossible to ignore and, in the process, has raised the bar for Village cross country in the years to come.