Julian Mendez’s track medal for Indiana Avenue, School 18 in the Woodbridge township Elementary school district. He won a track medal for his elementary school, not only once, but twice.
Press: How hard was it to make the track team?
Julian Mendez: I made the team in 4th and 5th grade. 4th grade was not as hard. 5th grade was much more challenging because the kids were better and I was trying to do too much.
Press: How did it feel when you made the track team?
Julian Mendez: It felt great. 5th grade felt better because I was trying to compete, and I kept on competing by going out there and practicing.
Press: Did you feel the competitors competing against you were skilled, why or why not?
Julian Mendez: In 4th grade I felt they weren’t as good as me, while in 5th grade I felt it was more challenging.
Press: What was the typical training leading to this win?
Julian Mendez: Me, our track team, and our gym teacher went out after lunch and had to sacrifice our recess after lunch. Instead of having recess we practiced.
Press: What were you feeling in the middle of the competition, and why?
Julian Mendez: When I was doing my event I was feeling nervous because I was trying to be better than everyone else. But when I found out I won, all the nerves went away.
Press: Were you honored to compete?
Julian Mendez: I was really happy that I was able to compete.
Press: Who helped you train for this competition?
Julian Mendez: Mr. Perez I will give him credit but most of the credit I will give to myself because I play basketball, baseball, I love throwing, running, and sports.
Press: How did training with other people impact your performance?
Julian Mendez: Training with other people helped, so we work better and work together and not be against each other, but be united together.
Press: What did you feel when you won and why?
Julian Mendez: We were excited because in 4th grade we won by a lot of points, but in 5th grade we won by not many points and it felt important because it was our 5th graders last year.
Press: What did you think of how you performed?
Julian Mendez: I think I did pretty good. 4th grade I did way better, 5th grade I didn’t do as good.
