By Leonard COUTIN

The American poet Robert Frost described life choices in his poem, “The Road Not Taken.” For two sisters growing up in La Crescenta, their family – the Carrillo family – made choices early on, moving from Duarte to Glendale to lay down their roots and begin their journey through the Glendale Unified School District beginning at Monte Vista Elementary.

Early on, Kayleigh Carrillo, the family’s eldest daughter, found that she could run, a feat that earned her the MVP award for running the fastest in third grade. Though she nurtured this talent in her later school years, she was also a solid ball handler, and had to consider the choices open to her in her athletic career. At Crescenta Valley High School, she joined the track program in ninth grade under head Coach Mark Evans. It was there that Kayleigh began to pursue various running distances.

She set high marks in the 100m (11.8), 200m (25.05), 400m (56.0) and relay leg 4×400 (55.9). Winning most of her races in the Pacific League, Kayleigh blossomed into one of CV’s most outstanding athletes while maintaining her academic strength. She gives credit to CVHS coaching staff members Derrel Furutani, Eric Kwong and Leland Waters.

“Furutani helped me realize what event my true talent was in, though at the time I did not agree, and he taught me how to strategize that one lap [the 400m]. Kwong helped me build a lot of strength and power in weights and hills, also not one of my favorites. Waters helped improve my mental game and the concept of attacking and owning a race, not the other way around,” Kayleigh said. “All of these helped me excel in high school and, though there was a lot of pain and tears, looking back I can’t complain.”

Graduating from Crescenta Valley High School with honors, Kayleigh was accepted to Cornell University where she is now in her senior year finishing a degree in animal science with a minor in entomology. Running under Richard Bowman these last four years, she has experienced a breadth of camaraderie and continues to run the open 200m, 400m and 4×400 relay.

Running both indoor and outdoor circuit meets, Kayleigh knows what she prefers.

“I would say that my favorite event is probably the 4x400m,” she said. “I have finally gotten accustomed to open 400s, but there’s nothing quite like the uncontainable excitement of the relay. Running with your team, running for your team, and having everybody cheer you on – there’s nothing else quite like it. With the baton in your hand, you feel untouchable.”

Kayleigh carries a full academic load and continues to move forward on her journey making choices on which road she will follow.

“I’m going to apply for jobs and internships so I can gain more experience in my fields of interest and, in about a year, I’ll start applying to programs for grad school,” she said. “In terms of track, that will be coming to an end this year, but I still want to remain active … possibly in soccer or maybe dance. And, of course, I want to travel the world.”

She said she feels prepared and confident. She stands as an important example for her sister, her family and her community.

Five years younger, Kristina Carrillo has had a strong role model to watch, guide and motivate her. Since age 5, she has been involved in several sports: soccer, gymnastics and now track at CV High School. Winning the national USAIGC title for the balance beam in 2014, Kristina felt confident entering CVHS and decided she should would try running, specifically the hurdles.

“I picked hurdles so I wouldn’t be compared [to my sister],” Kristina said. “But comparison also pushed me so I would work harder and do better.”

While learning the new skill of hurdling, Kristina recognized the sacrifices her coach has made.

“Coach Kwong has been instrumental in teaching me and helping me improve my technique,” she said. “He’s been very supportive and he knows how to motivate me. I appreciate that he dedicates so much of his own time to his athletes.”

Now a junior at CV, Kristina eagerly embraces another track season. Already posting keen marks running the 100H (16.62) and the 300H (46.49), Kristina works daily on honing her skill and getting in shape.

“I want to win league finals, and advance to CIF and go as far as I can,” she said of her goals. “[I want] to get the school record in the 300H. I’m only 0.5 seconds away from that.”

Like her sister, Kristina continues to perform well academically.

“I am doing well in school, currently taking kinesiology, AP psychology, U.S. History, pre-calculus (honors), American Lit and track. My GPA is 3.97.”

Seeing a young woman full of promise, people might be surprised to learn what Kristina has had to overcome.

“When I found out I had a seizure disorder in fifth grade I was very upset and felt abnormal. Would I have to stop gymnastics, would this affect the rest of my life, how could I deal with this?” she recalled. “I have found in my life when faced with such big issues I work harder and become more focused, and I approach school and track with the same thought process. So when I fail, I get angry and I want to prove to myself and others that I can succeed, I can win.”

That spirit and drive has served both the Carrillo sisters well. Running has already had a powerful influence on both girls, giving them the discipline to look down the road with the confidence to seize their goals.

“I would like to get a college scholarship to run track and get a great education,” Kristina said. “My college plans include staying in California, possibly [attending] UCI, UC Davis, Cal State Fullerton, also possibly looking at Arizona.”

Both Kristina and Kayleigh are very competitive individuals, yet they continue to support each other.

“We work out together when she’s in town and she has always believed I can do better,” said Kristina.

  Leonard Coutin