Athlete Spotlight: James Wood High School Cross County Runner Halle Esparza

Posted: October 6, 2015

James Wood High School 17-year-old senior

Sport: Cross Country.

Parents: Jennifer and Todd Esparza. Hometown: Winchester

Nicknames: Some of the older kids who graduated called me “Hal Pal.”

What do you love about cross country: I love the races, the adrenaline you get when you run and the team environment.

Most memorable moment in cross country: I had an injury my sophomore year and in the last race of the regular season [at The Third Battle Invitational at Millbrook] I decided to run and I ran my personal best ever and ended up running on varsity in the postseason.

Most embarrassing moment in cross country: One time we were stretching and I hadn’t been to practice in a couple days and we were doing calf stretching and they were calling it ‘baby cows’ and I said they were ‘baby kittens’ and they were like ‘No, it’s calves ‘cause of cows.”

Three people you can have dinner with, dead or alive: Audrey Hepburn (the late British actress), she’s a very iconic figure; Jennifer Aniston, I loved her on “Friends” and I think she’s a good role model; and Alex Morgan (a U.S. soccer player), it was fun to watch her in the World Cup and she seems like a very good teammate and a good athlete.

If you were stranded on an island, what’s the one thing you’d want to have with you: My dogs because I love them so much. I have two, a shih tzu named ‘Sophie’ and ‘Molly’ — she’s a terrier-mixed.

Favorite teacher: Mrs. [Deborah] Grumbacher — she was my 11th grade U.S. history teacher. I loved her class and she’s a great teacher. She always made sure that she gave you the help that you needed and made learning fun.

Favorite athlete: Misty May-Treanor

Favorite sports team: Washington Nationals

Best live sporting event you’ve been to: I went to a 76ers’ game last winter and that was a lot of fun. That was the first pro game I’ve ever been to. It was in Philadelphia against the Spurs, so that was really fun experience.

Favorite movie: “Bridesmaids”

Favorite book: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee

Favorite song: “Springsteen” by Eric Church

Favorite website: Instagram

Plans after high school: I want to go to a four-year university and study marketing and business.

— Compiled by Robert Stocks