Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week: Liz Huipe - Eagles’ roadrunner

Tony Altobelli

It’s such a mean game Estancia High track and field standout Liz

Huipe plays on the rest of the competitors during a track meet,

especially the 3,200-meter run.

Huipe likes to hang out in the middle of the pack, trying to pick just

the right time to make her move and dash the hopes out of the rest of the

runners.

“Some people go out way fast and by the time a mile as passed, they

are already slowing down,” Huipe said. “I like to take it kind of easy to

start and then pick it up in the later laps.”

That method has proved to be rather successful for Huipe, the Daily

Pilot Athlete of the Week.

Before Spring Break, Huipe pulled out wins in both the 1,600 (5:45.3)

and 3,200 (12:15.9) against Northwood on April 12.

“I just try to stay with the pack and I try to focus on the jersey in

front of me,” Huipe said. “Basically, I just go around the track and try

to use a late burst to get ahead of everyone else.”

Huipe, who finished second in the 1,600 and 3,200 at last year’s

Pacific Coast League finals, looks for even better numbers this year, but

knows it won’t be easy.

“There’s so many good runners in this league, especially in those two

races,” Huipe said. “The Corona del Mar girls and University girls are

all so strong. All I can do is run the best that I can and post my

fastest time. Whatever place that lands me, so be it.”

In her third year on the varsity track team, Huipe can also be seen

running an occasional 800 or run a middle leg of the Eagles’ 1,600 relay

team.

“I used to run the anchor leg, but I didn’t like that too much,” Huipe

said. “I’m also not a big fan of running first. I’m picky, I guess.”

Of all her events, Huipe is the bigger fan of the 1,600, but feels she

is better in the 3,200. “The 1,600 is my favorite because it’s over

quicker,” she said with a laugh.

In addition to her track and field accolades, Huipe currently holds

the school’s cross country record, which she set at last year’s PCL

finals (17:57). This year, the All-PCL selection finished sixth in the

state finals with a 19:08, her second top-10 finish at the legendary Mt.

San Antonio College course.

“I just love that course,” Huipe said. “It has a lot of hills and I

love hills.”

Huipe has her dance card pretty full this year. On top of her track

time, she is also finishing up her senior project, which involved a lot

of community service at South Coast Pediatrics.

“My times this year haven’t been as good as I’d like,” Huipe said. “I

haven’t been practicing too well, but with my senior project winding

down, I can work even harder on my running. I feel like I can get my

1,600 time under 5:15 and my 3,200 under 11:13, I’ll be in good shape.”

After her career at Estancia wraps up, Huipe won’t have far to go to

kick off her collegiate career.

“I’m going to go to Vanguard University next year,” Huipe said. “I

wanted to stay in the area and the school is right by my house, which

appealed to me. I’ll run for them next year.”

Vanguard is also close by to her favorite training grounds, South

Coast Plaza. “I just love to shop,” Huipe said.