This week’s Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week is freshman runner Ila Diaz. Last spring, Diaz set the school record for freshman in the 1,600 meters during the outdoor track and field season. She finished with a time of 5:36.02. She also competed in the Orange County Championships, where she finished fifth inside Dave Thaden Stadium at East Chapel Hill High School. Diaz competed in the indoor track and field season as a freshman. In the Eastern Alamance Polar Bear #4 on February 4, she finished fourth in the 1,600 meters with a time of 6:01.41. In the Southeast Alamance Polar Bear #3 on January 28 in Haw River, Diaz finished fourth in a crowded field, crossing the line at 12;48.68. After starting as a long distance runner in sixth grade, Diaz was encouraged to go out for varsity last year by Naomi Dyreng, one of the greatest runners ever at Cedar Ridge who graduated in June. Ila attended middle school at Stanback and Hawfield Middle School. She underwent a training plan which helped her as the season went on. In her first cross country season, Diaz finished seventh in the Central Conference championships. A rising sophomore, Diaz has already been voted as captain for the upcoming cross country season. She was out cleaning up Cedar Ridge’s cross country course last Saturday in preparation for lots of workouts and competition.
