When the Spanish conquistador Coronado came to the United States in 1510, he was searching for the Seven Cities of Gold.
Needless to say, he never found them. But some 500-plus years later, UNM javelin star Katie Coronado is on a similar quest, in search of her own gold-standard, as she is set to compete in the NCAA Championships on June 11 in Des Moines, Iowa.
"I'm going to do my best," she said. "I feel I stand a good chance of having a good performance. If I keep on doing what I'm supposed to be doing, I should have a good chance at possibly placing."
During the season, Coronado catapulted her way to an undefeated 6-0 record. However, in the last meet of the season, the UNM-hosted Don Kirby Memorial Invitational, Coronado was defeated by former UTEP All-American Erma Gene Evans.
Coronado said the fact that Gene is pro helped temper the disappointment of the loss.
"(The record) meant a lot," she said. "But I didn't feel the pressure that I had to win. But Erma Gene, she already graduated, and technically she's pro. I know some people don't count that as a loss. But it's always a privilege competing against her. So, it didn't really hurt my confidence or take away from what I accomplished."
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Instead of dwelling on the loss, Coronado said the meet served as a measuring stick to gauge herself against a pro in Evans.
"I feel I'm within the same level (as her)," she said. "I just feel like there's certain measures you have to take, and certain things that have to fall in place for a person to be competing at a certain level. I feel those are coming together, but I still have a long ways from where I want to be."
While Coronado said practicing and performing are important to eventually competing at the highest level - the Olympics - half the battle is maintaining the health of her body.
"The main thing is staying healthy and keeping my body in shape and from hurting," she said. "As far as long-term adversity, that's the only thing."
Coronado said listening to her body and rehabilitating were
fundamentally important in keeping her fresh this season.
"I feel like I'm in really good shape right now," she said. "I have never felt more strong at the end of the season. I think (nationals) will be good. And (this season) already has been."
Three other Lobos will be competing in the NCAA Championships: Tiyana Peters, Robert Caldwell and Lee Emanuel. Peters will compete in the high jump, Caldwell will compete in the pole vault event and Emanuel will run in the 1,500-meter dash.
