• Danielle Aragon

  Sophomore - Billings Senior High School

• Sports:

  Track and Cross Country

• Favorite Amp Workout:

  Hi-Speed Treadmill

Quote:

"I love racing, and I love improving. Improving myself, getting better times and pushing my limits to see what I can do."

Info:

A sophomore at Billings Senior High School, Danielle Aragon knows every competitor that steps onto the track with her. And the toughest one, she says, is herself.

"I compete more with myself than with other athletes," she says. "I know that even if someone else beats me, if I get a PR (personal record), a new fastest time, I'm doing well."

In addition to running on the school's cross-country team in the fall, Danielle is also a force on Senior's track team. She competes in the 400, 800 and 1600 meter races as well as in the 400 and 1600 meter relays. Occasionally she also opts to run the 3200 meter-nearly two miles-as well.

"My favorite would probably be the 800 because you run one lap, and the second lap is the bell lap already, so it's quick," Danielle says. "It's not as fast as the 400, but you don't need to think. You just go."

In order to prepare for her freshman track season, Danielle had completed am AMP performance program mini-session in 2009. Seeing its benefit, she decided to do a full-length session again in February of 2010. AMP Performance trainer Mark Johnston worked with Danielle in both.

"Competitive and driven would be the best two ways to describe [Danielle]," Mark says. "She knew what she wanted to accomplish, and wanted to know the best way to get there."

Johnston says that one of the best aspects of the AMP program is that it allows athletes who are going into their season to get a jump on the competition. Not just the ones from other schools, but also the teammates they're competing against for a spot.

"In her case, she was competing against her sister in several events, and some of the girls from other schools she'd worked with while in AMP," he says. "They carried that friendly competitive rivalry in the program, and it was fun for Adam [Sanchez, AMP Program Director] to see it play out during the session and throughout the season.

During the AMP session, Danielle excelled in every program category, including increase her vertical jump by 1.5 inches and decreasing her pro shuttle time by 6.42%. She also made, for the second time, AMP's 19 MPH club.

"I really enjoyed the treadmill," she says. "It's kind of like-you don't have control, you just let your legs go. You get to the point when ou're going faster than you normall can, and it feels really cool. It was exciting to think I could run 19 miles an hour-I've only driven in my car that fast!"

Danielle also appreciates AMP's emphasis on proper running form.

"In AMP, they teach us a lot about form and where you should be with it. So when I'm running cross-country I can focus on my form," she says. "And in track we do a lot of speed work."

And will she do a third AMP session in 2011? Danielle, who is the reigning 800 meter champion in the state of Montana, says yes.

"I'll definitely do it next year," she says. "I think it was a key factor in my performances this year."