Kya Phillips, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Class of 2019
Personal Records
100m - 12.56
200m - 25.27
400m - 56.40
800m - 2:34.20
High Jump - 5-1
Long Jump - 15-1.25
MSHSL Record
2017 - 400 Meter Dash 1st Place; 200 Meter Dash 4th Place
Tell us a little about Cristo Rey Jesuit H.S. What makes it a great school?
It is a private Catholic school for college-bound students. At Cristo Rey we have only about 500 students and all of us have one day for work-study at a Corporate work site. I work at Ameriprise Financial in the Annuities department. Cristo Rey has only been in existence for about 10 years.
What were your first sports? Where were you born?
I was born in St. Paul, MN. My first sport was gymnastics which I did only for a season in second grade. I was in dance for a few years although not consecutive seasons starting in the fourth grade. Then I began basketball in seventh grade at the Hospitality House in North Minneapolis which is kind of like a Christian Boys/Girls Club. I first played volleyball at Ascension Catholic School, and track & field the summer after seventh grade.
My first event in track was the 400 because they saw how long my legs were and thought I had the build of a 400 runner. I am currently 5'10" and 152 pounds.
What sports do you play at the high school varsity level?
Edison High School was the first place where I participated at that level. I was in basketball and track there in eighth grade. In ninth grade I began high school at Cristo Rey and have put in three varsity seasons in basketball and track. As well as two varsity seasons in volleyball. I was selected as captain for the first time in basketball my tenth grade year. This year I have been captain in all three of my sports. One of the highlights of my career outside of track was when we won a section basketball game this year for the first time in our school's history!
Who are your track & field coaches?
Jennifer Myers is the head coach and she is the main sprint coach and distance runners coach. Emma Schatzke is the high jump, hurdles, and throwers coach. She also coaches the sprints and helps with the girls relay teams.
Stanley Clay & Sue Denson are both assistant track coaches and they have been great motivators.
We do not have the pole vault and our school does not have a track to practice on. What we do is practice on the "Greenway," which is an asphalt walking path, and we have access to the Colin Powell Gymnasium for indoor training.
What adversities have you had in your sports career?
In eighth and ninth grade I could not participate in the state meet because I had developed some hip and back injuries. I also had some anxiety because I wanted to win all the time and was afraid of getting hurt again. My parents stepped in and took me to the doctor, physical therapists, and a chiropractor. In addition they taught me to be mentally strong, they told me I was good and that I just had to improve myself and not worry about others. They got me to do deep breathing before competition too. TRIA of Bloomington, MN helped me get through this tough time.
Who are some of your toughest competitors?
In the 400 meter dash so far it has been Robbie Grace of The Blake School and Lizzie Schmidt of Belle Plaine. In the 200 Jia Lewis of Edison and T'nia Riley of North Minneapolis are tough. I also practice with Lizzie and Jia during the summer with the Eagle's Wings Track Club which is a Christian organization based out of North Minneapolis.
Who else helps you with your training?
My parents Patrick and Audrey Phillips coach me often and so does my Uncle Sean Phillips.
What are your goal setting techniques and what do you do for the mental training?
I want to improve my time each race. I listen to music a lot. The song I use for workouts is "Kings Dead," by Kendrick Lamar, I also have a playlist for meets but that's a secret!
My parents tell me to "stay mentally strong," and "run a relaxed race." My coaches tell me not to worry about the competition but to concentrate on myself and just try to improve a little every day.
How do you think the team will do this spring?
We definitely should be better because we have more kids out than before. I think our 4x200 relay team is getting better and could be good this season.
What kinds of things are you involved in besides sports?
I have a 3.3 GPA; am involved in student government as a member of the council; I have a job with ICON Movie Theater; I took AP World History last year and look to take two AP classes next year. I also love singing and dancing.
What does your team do that might be a little different than some others?
Every year before the conference meet the coaches let us have a water balloon fight. We also believe strongly in running alongside of our teammates during meets.
Do you have any plans for after high school?
I have received letters from all of the college divisions. What you want to do is determine what you will major in and look for a school who has it. I want to be in sports communications as in being a broadcaster for Sports Center.
Technical Tips on running the 400 meter dash by Kya Phillips:
Get out of the blocks and go hard the first five seconds, run a fast stride on the first straight-away then the last 150 meters go all out. Get the knees up, and emphasize the arms. Exaggerate your arm movement, especially the backward movement of the elbows. You want to hug the curve, lean into it and use it to your advantage. "It's like being shot out of a rubber band." You actually go faster on the curve! At the end of the race if you didn't feel like your legs would fall off then you didn't give it your all. Mental toughness and your mind will cause you to run the race you want to run.
