Freshman runner helps lead team after losses to graduation

With her white racerback tank top, black Nike shorts and black hair tied tightly in a ponytail, freshman Julia Hoffman raced to the track shack on a September afternoon. Receiving a congratulatory high-five from girls’ cross country coach Danny Moon, she grinned, knowing that once again, her hard work during the run had paid off.

Hoffman was inspired to join cross country by her older sister, 2016 alum Emma Hoffman.  Though petite, she has taken the lead for the Falcons.

On the flat, 2.1 mile course at Lynbrook on Sept. 6, Julia placed third with a time of 14:13 and a mile pace of 6:47. Freshman Ellie Pickard followed in fifth place with a time of 15:20.

Julia has found that the running distance suits her endurance level from soccer. She started playing soccer at age 4 and joined the De Anza Force club soccer team in 2011. In soccer games, playing left outside defender, Julia was required to run back and forth across the field to support the offense and help defense.

During the summer of 2012, her team trained at Lake Tahoe in high altitudes to help increase their endurance. During practice in Tahoe, her coach taught her a vital lesson that Julia always keeps in mind.

“My coach taught us to breathe in through our nose and out through our mouth to make it easier for us to breathe and not hyperventilate,” she said. “That trick has really helped me no matter what altitude I’m running at.”

Though the Falcons have only been practicing for a month, Julia has already found her spot on the team and has been taken under the wings of upperclassmen.

“The times before and after we go on runs is my favorite part so far since our team as a whole can socialize and get to know each other better,” she said. “The atmosphere that the captains create is always really positive.”

After losing key alumni such as Ashley Chen and Kimberly Chen to graduation, senior co-captain Alice Bian is glad to have Julia on the team.

“She is always so bubbly and happy, which is really great, especially when upperclassmen are stressed out by SATs or college apps,” Bian said.

So far, the team has had two meets; at both Lynbrook and at Central Park, Julia has placed well relative to the team. As her high school running career takes off, Julia hopes to maintain her passion for running.

“I love the free feeling I get when I run, like I can do anything and go anywhere,” Julia said. “Running, especially when I’m sprinting at the end of a race feels like flying higher and higher into the air.”