The Daily Iowan: What made you choose to come to Iowa?
Gabby Cortez: I’m originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, so I grew up a Hawkeye fan my whole life. I got invited to the junior day and I got to learn more about my coach, Jason Wakenight. I think he resembled a lot of what I saw in my high school coach, and we had a really
good relationship.
Coming here on my visit, it felt a lot like family, and so I think that was one of the main reasons why I chose to come here.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
It’s cliche, but I feel like my parents are my biggest inspiration. I’m a very family-oriented person, and they are hardworking people, but in general, they’ve always just instilled in me to be a very caring person and to be very aware of other people, no matter what they are going through. We all have our own struggles, so I think that’s very important through any stage of life you go in, especially sports.
Do you have any pre-meet/race rituals? If so, what are they?
I wouldn’t say I do. I listen to music occasionally, but really I just try to hang out with my teammates and try to calm the nerves. I like to make the environment seem like, “Oh, it’s just a practice rep. Nothing’s changed other than you’re going out there and doing something that we’ve been training all this time for. This is the fun part.”
How did you get into running?
I actually have been running since my older brother ran club track, and so I would always go to his club meets. I have a twin brother, and when we would go to my older brother’s meets, we would race, so I feel like I’ve just always been in that environment. Once I found out that I was kind of good at [running], I was like, “OK, this is what I want.” I was in a lot of sports growing up, but I feel like track was just always something that I was super passionate about. It was something that I could be really good at.
What is your favorite track and field memory?
I feel like I have two. I would say probably in high school, at the Drake Relays, the 400. I ended up winning it. It was more of a pivot moment for me because the field was crazy good. I had a hard time going into races, knowing that I need to run my own race and not worry about other people. I think I did that race and it obviously paid off. It was a very confidence boosting moment, and also having the support of my friends was super memorable. I would also say Big Tens last year in the 600; I won. It’s one thing in high school to win those state championships or Drake Relays, but in college, it’s like, “Wow this is a big deal.”
If you could do any other sport, what would you pick? Why?
Growing up, I did basketball and softball, which were fine. I liked it more for the team aspect. I guess, if anything, I would say cross country, but not that I actually would. I really could not think of any other sport. I did cross country in high school, and the training, obviously, wasn’t great, but when you’re in shape for cross country, it’s very fulfilling. So I would say cross country makes the most sense.
What is your favorite movie/tv show?
I go through phases. I like a lot of older TV shows. I got into “Friends” a lot last year. I also love reality TV. I used to watch “Keeping Up With The Kardashians,” or “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” That’s a good one. Honestly, anything with drama, I like it.
Where is your all-time dream vacation?
I really want to go to Europe, more specifically Greece. I love the movie “Mamma Mia!” and the atmosphere in Greece seems so fun. I would love to go there for either a honeymoon or with my friends. That would be super fun.
What hobbies do you have outside of track?
The only free time I really have is during the summer, and so I do anything I can with my friends and my family, whether it’s going on family trips or even going on trips for track. While those trips are a lot of business, like you’re having to get races done, it is really fun to just be with your team and venture out. We get to travel and experience things you don’t get to see in Iowa. But, I’d say being with my family and friends are my main hobbies.
If you could only listen to one music artist/band for the rest of your life, who would it be?
I listen to really any music. I’m not very, “Oh, I know this song” or “I know this artist.” I listen to rap and pop music the most, but I’ll listen to anything except country. I like Morgan Wallen, but a lot of them are just not my thing.