LSU senior runner Andria Aguilar has been running competitively for as long as she can remember.
Aguilar’s running career took off during her freshman year at Mount Carmel Academy, when the team won the state championship. But the next two seasons would take their toll on her physically and mentally.
A collection of physical injuries halted her progress in those years, but Mount Carmel coach Chris Kelley said her competitiveness pushed her to take the proper steps to get back into top form and eventually win the state title in the mile.
“By her senior year, I was fairly confident that she would win the 1600m meter outdoor title because she was physically and mentally ready for anything that would happen in that race,” Kelley said.
After being named to the All-State cross country and track and field teams in all four years at Mount Carmel, Aguilar was a lock to race at the Division I level, opting to stay close to home and run for LSU’s cross country team.
“Running [Division I] is a huge adjustment. It is a wake up call,” Aguilar said. “To be average in the Southeastern Conference, you have to be excellent. I didn’t take that in until last season. It is daunting.”
Aguilar spent her first three seasons at LSU working on her physique to be in better shape and getting her mind in the right place to compete.
She has yet to finish outside of the top 10 in her first three meets of her senior season, including a share of the title at the McNeese Relay with junior teammate Morgan Schuetz.
She was the top finisher for the Lady Tigers in their third-place finish at the Rice Invitational and was the third finisher on the first-place team at the LSU Invitational.
“You set the goal to be the best in the conference. I have some individuals that I think can do that,” said cross country coach Khadevis Robinson. “Andria is one of those girls.”
Aguilar’s performances in the weekly meets have her on track to place well in the SEC Championship meet, which she says has been her main goal since she came to LSU.
“The SEC cross country meet is one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. It’s the most concentrated collection of talent [at the collegiate level],” Aguilar said. “It’s my last year. I am determined to do it.”
One of Aguilar’s biggest goals is to run a 4:19 in the 1500 meter race at the SEC championships.
“It’s a huge goal. I am working every day thinking about it,” Aguilar said. “I want it more than anything.”