Karlie García is ready to make up for lost time this weekend at Fresno's Woodward Park.
The Oakmont High School (Roseville) junior, who missed last year's state cross country meet because of illness, comes in as the top female runner with a 5-kilometer time of 17:09.
The former soccer player -- who is 4-foot-10 and weighs 80 pounds -- will compete along with her teammates in Division III, which starts at 11:45 a.m.
Q. Are you looking to break your personal record on Saturday?
A. "Well I don't know. I just go out and run as hard as I can. I just don't set goals for myself."
Q. You qualified for the state cross country meet as a freshman, and finished fourth in Division II. Did this surprise you?
A. "Yes. It was really great because in my freshman year, we qualified as a team. And we qualified as a team this year, so that's like really cool for us. I was pretty shocked about that race."
Q. Do you have any rituals that you do before a meet?
A. "I have tons. I can only tell you a couple otherwise it might jinx me. I triple-knot my shoes and I always squeeze hands with my teammates on the line. I can't say the other ones, but maybe I'll tell you after the race.
Q. You were unable to compete in last year's state cross country championships. What happened?
A. "I was sick with an intestinal infection. I got really sick in October, but I was actually sick in August and September. I was in the hospital for two months. I did school there. I'm all better now. I didn't compete in any cross country events, but I did the 3,200 (meter) and sometimes the 1,600 (meter) in track and field. I didn't feel good enough to run in Masters, so I didn't."
Q. In 2009, you were invited to the Footlocker Nationals, but you didn't want to go?
A. "Yes. I felt really intimidated."
Q. You are 4-foot-9?
A. "No, I'm 4-foot-10. I know I have to work harder to get the same length of stride of like other girls. I don't know, I don't really think about that. I just kind of run."
Q. What do you think of the course at Woodward Park?
A. "It's a good course. I like the back part where it gets really quiet. (Where there isn't a lot of people?) Yeah, I like that."
Q. Some long distance runners have a preference in weather. Do you?
A. "I like the heat. I like sunny and warm, hot weather."
Q. What has been your favorite course so far this season?
A. "I'd have to say between Stanford and Mt. SAC (Mt. San Antonio College). Stanford is like a really fast course. The competition is really high there. I like Mt. SAC because it has a lot of hills and it's really challenging."
Q. Your favorite meet this season?
A. "I'd say Stanford. I finished second."
Q. Who will you look to for support at the state meet?
A. "My parents, Cindy and Pat García. And my teammates.
Q. How's coach Ryan Nugent? It's his first year at Oakmont.
A. "He's a great coach. Very supportive. A great coach."