BY MILES LAYTON
There are a lot Aces’ and Pirates’ athletes I need to write about – to chronicle their teams’ success this season.
For now, let’s start with a story about Amaya Cortezano… where do I begin?
An Aces’ senior, Cortezano, captured fourth place (2:23 min) in the 800-meter run last weekend at the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2A State Championship in Greensboro.
“States was a chance to prove myself and set a milestone for John A. Holmes High School’s Lady Aces’ track team,” she said. “I couldn’t have done it without my parents, coaches, JROTC instructors and friends. Special thanks to Tyler Wells — he stuck with me my whole season and continued to run with me even though his season finished before mine. I’ll see you all at Nationals.”
About a week earlier, Cortezano paced herself to first place in the 800-meter run (2:28) at the 2A East Regional Championship in Kinston.
I saw that race – Cortezano paced herself behind the lead runner from Princeton High until about the last 150 meters or so of the gun lap.
Then, when the time was right, Cortezano pushed the gas pedal, popped the clutch and put her stride in gear to pass that runner – crossing the finish line two seconds ahead of her.
Cortezano achievements didn’t happen overnight — she has been working hard, racing and pacing all season. Last fall, Cortezano posted a 71st-place finish (22:43), passing several runners in the home stretch of her final cross-country race competing for the Aces at the NCHSAA State Championship in Kernersville.
What’s next for Cortezano? She will be attending East Carolina University in the fall – ROTC scholarship!
During the Aces’ JROTC banquet, Cortezano gave a speech praising her unit.
“We grew together as a unit. But now, we stand on the brink of graduation and the reality of parting ways is a painful reminder that nothing lasts forever. The sense of camaraderie and belonging that I found in JROTC is something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life, but it also leaves me ache in my heart knowing that these moments are not just memories. As I reflect on these past four years, I realize JROTC has not only prepared me for the future endeavors, but it has also given me the strength to face life’s inevitable heartbreaks.”
Cortezano continued, “It has been a journey of growth, self discovery, and transformation, but it is also one of loss and letting go,” Cortezano said. “I’m deeply grateful to you for the experiences, the lessons, and the friendships that JROTC has brought to my life, but I cannot help but feel sad that this chapter has to come to an end.”
One response to “Amaya Cortezano: Aces’ Star in the 800-Meter Run”
[…] Amaya Cortezano‘s Athletic and Academic Success: John A. Holmes High School senior Amaya Cortezano is celebrated for her athletic prowess and future academic plans. She placed fourth in the 800-meter run at the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2A State Championship (2:23 min) and first at the 2A East Regional Championship (2:28). Cortezano attributes her success to her support system, stating, “States was a chance to prove myself and set a milestone for John A. Holmes High School’s Lady Aces’ track team… I couldn’t have done it without my parents, coaches, JROTC instructors and friends.” She will attend East Carolina University in the fall on an ROTC scholarship. Cortezano’s JROTC experience has been formative, as she noted in her banquet speech, “The sense of camaraderie and belonging that I found in JROTC is something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.” […]