Despite injury, Valley’s Marquez finishes XC career at regional

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Christopher Marquez (photo provided)

HUNTINGTON — Tippecanoe Valley senior Christopher Marquez had a bittersweet to end his high school cross-country career.

After running an 18:42 at the Manchester sectional Oct. 18, he cut that time down to 18:29 at the regional at Huntington University last week.

He did it all with plantar fasciitis, a painful injury to the bottom of the foot that makes walking painful, much less running.

“I would say it’s good,” Marquez said. “With me having plantar fasciitis, I just did the best I could. I think I delivered that. I did to the best of my capability.”

Marquez said he first noticed the pain at the Jacob Graf Invitational at Logansport Aug. 23.

“The whole season, but just right before conference, it just got really bad,” Marquez said. “I could barely walk, but I knew this is my senior year, and I had to give it all I had. And I think I delivered what I could. I’m a little upset that I wasn’t able to give my best time at all this season, especially towards the end of the season. I started feeling the most healthy I have ever have, but it’s just how God wanted it to play out. That’s it.”

Valley coach Eric Hudson praised Marquez afterwards and called his race “incredible.”

“Chris Marquez is a leader,” Hudson said. “The team called him Daddy Chris, and there’s a reason for that. Because they look up to him. He is definitely going to be missed. His leadership is incredible. Some of these kids, I didn’t even think at the beginning of the year would ever even come to watch, but because of Chris and his work ethic and how he relates to the team, they are here because of him. … I’m very, very happy with Chris’ performance. He was seconds off his personal record, and we take that as a ‘W’ because of his plantar fasciitis. If you’ve ever had it, it’s like walking on needles.”

Marquez said the entire team and a friend show up to cheer him on at the regional.

“That just meant the world to me,” Marquez said. “Just one of their supports lasts the whole race. All I need is one person to really motivate me throughout the whole race, and that lasted me the whole time. I’m beyond grateful for all of them, and I’m happy for what’s in store for them since I’m a senior. I will still always come back and watch them.”