Kinga Mozes, Rochester Century High School Class of 2019
Personal Records:
55m (in) - 7.21
60m (in) - 7.80
100m - 12.28
200m (in) - 26.06
200m - 25.34
Long Jump (in) - 17-5
Long Jump - 18-5.5
MSHSL State Meet Record:
2017 8th Place 100 meter dash; 7th Place 200 meter dash; 8th Place Long Jump
2016 7th Place Long Jump
Where were you born and what sports did you play growing up?
I was involved in dance from age 5 to 13. I also was in volleyball from age 11 to age 15. But had to quit because of two concussions I had, and a family history of problems with them. I got the concussions from getting hit with the ball. It was hard to have to give it up because I loved the game and all the jumping helped my speed.
What sports do you play now?
This is my fourth year in varsity track & field as I started in 8th grade. I also began weight training around that time but did not start to get into it until my freshman year. My personal bests are 315 pounds in the deadlift; 225 in the squat; 155 in the power clean; and 120 in the bench press.
Can you tell me about your coaches?
Our head coach at Rochester Century is Kris Allen. Kris has coached at our school for many years and has won several awards as a coach. She has always been one of my sprint coaches at Century although she does coach other events as well. She reminds me on how to use my arms and to get my knees high. She once said of me, "You are the only person that makes it look like everyone else is walking." She also gives me advice before meets to focus on what I want to accomplish and not on other people. She tells me to do this for every meet no matter how difficult or easy the competition because we want to make it second nature!
Kyle Riggott is our main jumps coach. He was a track & field athlete in high school and played football for Minnesota State University-Mankato. He started as a volunteer coach and tended to come later in the season. He is young and can still jump which helps because he can easily demonstrate what we should be doing. He is a charismatic individual in that he is playful and high-spirited, and he always reminds me to have fun-even at the big meets like the Hamline Elite Meet.
Many people are way too serious during meets. If a sport is not fun then why do it? An example of what Kyle might do is when he would set up the gymnastics spring board in front of the long jump pit. He would the lay down in front of it so that we had do jump over him! (He was quick enough to move if someone came up short!)
Tim Arndt was an important sprint coach for me, especially in 8th and 9th grade when I was starting out. Tim is a long-time coach who is very calm and quiet. He takes the time to talk to individuals, and makes sure we are calm before practices and competitions. You must get fired up but cannot be that way all day. He teaches us how to calm down and get ready to focus before psyching up too much.
Where are your ancestors from?
My parents are originally from Hungary and my mother was a sprinter-jumper there from 5th to 10th grade. She was the best sprinter in her city and also excelled in the high jump. The reason why she had to stop is because of disc problems in her back. A little known fact is that I speak fluent Hungarian. I have to practice it once in a while with my mother because many of my relatives in Hungary do not speak English including my grandmother. I have been to Hungary many times to see relatives.
Who are your main competitors?
There are many good sprinters and jumpers, but two I know fairly well are Kendra Kelley of Cloquet, and Jodi Lipp of St. Cloud Tech.
Who are teammates that inspire and motivate you?
Katie Eidem is a graduate sprinter-jumper who now competes on a scholarship for Arizona State University. Her best event has always been the high jump. Aly Welch is in my grade and is a top distance runner in our area. She gave me an appreciation of how we can enjoy each other as friends even though our events are different. We are more alike than different, even though we are different individuals.
Who makes up your cheering section at the meets?
My mom Nora Mozes, is at most meets. Luca Mozes is a freshman sprinter-jumper on our team and is there for me. I had two older brothers who competed in track & field for Century. Aron Mozes was a sprinter and Greg Mozes was a thrower. They are in college but are sometimes able to make it to my meets.
What are your goals and what do you do for mental training?
I try to take it meet by meet. I try to stay calm. I have music that I listen to that gets me ready before I compete. I do not write anything down but I do try to beat my best times.
How well do you think the Panthers will do in post-season competition this year?
We did really well at the Big Nine and Section meets last year in that we were in the top three in both of those meets. We lost quite a few older athletes from a year ago so I do not expect that we will be as good. But we do have several outstanding individuals who will challenge people all the way to the state meet. Many of our girls are in 7th or 8th grade, so they are younger and developing. It is tough to be one of the top sprinters at the state level at a young age like that.
What do you do besides sports?
My non-weighted GPA is 4.0. I have taken 5 AP classes to move it up to 4.23 weighted. I do a lot of volunteer work for the Octagon Club which is an after-school program. What we do is help at an elementary school with fun activities such as yoga, reading, and games. I would like to get a summer job, perhaps at a place similar to Jimmy John's!
How is your team a little different and more fun than others?
There are about 100 girls on our team. Each of us has a secret buddy that we are required to send a note to every week of the season! We also sing during our ab workouts!
What are your plans for after high school?
I would like to attend a big four-year school in this area of the country such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Michigan. As for my major I am not sure yet. Perhaps education or physical therapy. I like to work with kids.
