Sports Spotlight - Windermere Observer: Amaya Ugarte

The Windermere High girls track team won the program’s very first meet Feb. 17 at the Seminole Open. Leading the way was sophomore Amaya Ugarte, who placed first in the long jump, the high jump and the 300-meter hurdles, as well as competing in the 4x100 relay team that placed second. As a freshman at West Orange in 2017, Ugarte made it to regionals in four events.

How did the excitement of competing in the first meet for the Windermere High track-and-field program compare to when you competed as a freshman in your first varsity meet in 2017?

It was kind of the same. It was like, ‘I’m excited to be out here for a new team.’ It was fun and exciting.

Were you surprised you did so well in the first meet of the season?

Yeah, I didn’t get that much time to practice the hurdles, so I didn’t think I was going to do that well.

You do several events for the team. Which of them is your favorite?

The hurdles, high jump or long jump.

In which event do you see the most room for improvement?

The hurdles. I’m just going to do what the coaches tell me, trust and believe (in the coaching).

Was it intimidating two years ago when you first began doing hurdling events?

Yeah, but at the same time, it was pretty fun.

When you were a freshman at West Orange last spring, was there an upperclassman teammate who welcomed you in?

Yes, Shayanne (Mayes). We’ve known each other since middle school, and she made me feel welcome.

How do you like competing for coach Jason Greer so far?

I like that he does whatever he can to keep us on track. I like how he keeps it straight.

Where is coach Greer working with you to improve as an individual?

I would say on mental improvement.

Which class is your favorite?

Dance. It’s physical, and I’m a physical person.

Do you have any idea what field you would like to go into for a career?

So far, I’d like to get into biomedical science.

Have you seen the new Marvel movie “Black Panther?”

Yes sir, I saw it and I loved how it was inspiring. It was saying, “This person before me doesn’t define me now — I’m my own person.” The movie was great, but the fight scenes could have been more intense.

Which of your teammates is the funniest?

Jesse Drain — he’s hilarious.

Which remaining meet(s) are you most looking forward to?

Any meet against West Orange.