Maya de Brouwer, a junior at La Canada High in California and an All-American in the 5,000 meters at New Balance Nationals Indoor as well as a finalist at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships in San Diego, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing April 19 in the girls invitational mile at the 64th Mt. SAC Relays Presented by Nike at Hilmer Lodge Stadium in Walnut, Calif. She reflects on running a lifetime-best 10:09.86 in the 3,200 meters April 6 at the 56th Arcadia Invitational in Arcadia, Calif., and being able to improve from clocking 10:24.69 on March 23 at the Meet of Champions Distance Classic at Azusa Pacific University. Following her performance at Azusa Pacific, de Brouwer produced another program record in the 1,600 meters by running 4:53.37 in a March 27 dual meet against South Pasadena, with fellow junior Abigail Errington clocking 4:50.45 for the Tigers. She examines how significant it has been to be able to compete against Errington in the Rio Hondo League and CIF-Southern Section Division 4, and how instrumental they have been in contributing to each other's success. The opportunities to compete last year at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in June, along with the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships in December and New Balance Nationals Indoor in March have helped de Brouwer become more comfortable competing in elite national races, contributing to her exceptional performance at Arcadia. She explains how much her background in mountain biking has contributed to her strength and endurance in distance running, and how meaningful it was to be able to compete in the 3,200 at Arcadia with fellow mountain biker, senior Andie Aagard from Lone Peak High in Utah. She also examines how beneficial it was to have such a deep field in the 3,200 at Arcadia, in order to elevate her performance, as de Brouwer is still becoming accustomed to leading bigger races and growing familiar with that spotlight. She speaks about how valuable it has been to keep a relaxed and enthusiastic approach before races, often dancing to avoid anxiety and nervousness on the starting line. And de Brouwer expresses gratitude for her parents, coaches and teammates for enhancing her experiences in the sport.