Vela a Senior Speedster for Flatonia

Luis Vela is a senior speedster for Flatonia.

He’s the school record holder in the 100 meters with a time of 10.9. Last week he beat out several runners from bigger schools to win gold at the Weimar meet. He also won bronze in the 200 meters.

“Luis is a really hard worker, a constant worker,” said Flatonia head track coach Drew Bridges. “And not just at practices and track meets. He spends his own time working to get better. He’s always asking for feedback. Even nutrition and sleep, those other things that people forget about, he does all that and he’s committed to it – all the time.”

We’re proud to honor Luis Vela as this week’s Fayette County Athlete of the Week.

Here’s our interview with him:

Have you always been fast?

“No, I started getting fast coming into my sophomore year. My freshman year I didn’t run because I wasn’t confident in myself, but I put in the work and now here I am.”

Talk about the type of work you’ve done over the years to get even faster?

“The main part when I first started training was in the weight room. I had to get stronger, especially explosively, getting out of the blocks in the 100. When I run I do parachute workouts sometimes. I tie a parachute to me and run. It helps you a lot.”

What events do you do at a typical track meet? What’s your favorite and least favorite?

“4x100 relay (last leg), 100 meter, 200 meters and triple jump ... My favorite is the 100, my least favorite is triple jump.”

Do you have anything special you usually do before races, whether it be eating or drinking something, listing to a special type of music, etc?

“Usually before I run, I listen to R&B music to calm me down so I’m not too nervous. Nothing too upbeat, because that makes me more nervous.”

What is your favorite movie?

“Gladiator.”

See What’s your favorite food?

“Enchiladas”

What did you do on spring break?

“I just ran a lot.”

The district meet is later this week. What are your goals for that?

“I really want to get first in the 4x100 relay and advance as a team ... but the goal is to get golds in all three (running events) 4x100, 100 and 200.

What’s something about Luis Vela that most people don’t know?

“People think I’m really energetic person. But I really like to keep things calm. I try to be a leader for my teammates, even though some people don’t see me that way.”

You are a senior. What are your plans for after high school?

“I’m committed to TLU (Texas Lutheran University) for track. I want to major in accounting and business.”