What do you get when you cross the “team mom” with the most consistent talent on the San Diego State cross country team? The end result is the two senior co-captains, Anne Vieira and Kristin Glen.
A combined six and a half years of running for SDSU will come down to one last event, the NCAA West Regionals in Palo Alto on Saturday, as the two runners will be competing in their last races as Aztecs and will be look to leave a lasting impression.
“I’ve been here a long time, and it’s winding down, but good things usually do,” Vieira said. “It’s been a blast running here and I’m honestly going to miss it.”
Vieira has been running for SDSU since 2005 and has been a consistent motivator and leader on the team. She has been the essential problem solver for the team and always has time for any of her teammates, earning her the title of “team mom.”
“It’s been kind of fun being the one everyone comes to when they need something,” Vieira said. “It’s really one of the things I’ll miss most. I mean, it’s so intense that some girls even called me ‘mama.’ It’s really funny.”
Glen agrees Vieira has been the one member of the team who anyone can go to for advice.
“She’s always positive and always willing to give anyone motivation,” Glen said. “Anne has always been there for me and for everyone. She’s been the soccer mom of the team basically.”
Glen transferred from Orange Coast College in 2007 and has been the most consistent runner for the Aztecs in 2008, leading SDSU in the majority of the races.
“Kristin brings the talent every week definitely; she pushes everyone every day and tries to make everyone better,” Vieira said. “She listens to everyone and is very relatable, and that’s great in a leader.”
But for Glen, it isn’t about being a leader. She’s going to have a tough time leaving her teammates behind.
“I really love running and being able to run with my teammates and try to make everyone better,” Glen said. “I really think that what I am going to miss most isn’t being a team captain, but being around people who love running as much as I do.”
Heading into their second and final times competing at the Regionals for the two captains, they are anxious about ending their Aztec careers.
“Being team captains together, I think, has been great for the team,” Vieira said “We complemented each other so well and brought attributes to the table that the other didn’t, and I’ve been proud to run with her.”
CROSS COUNTRY: The 'team mom'
Published: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Updated: Monday, November 17, 2008
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