Tagged: NAU

It’s a typical sunny Flagstaff day, and Diego Estrada takes a break from training to visit a favorite taqueria.

While many Olympians spend their days focusing every second on their sport, Estrada takes a slightly different approach.

“I’ve done my best to avoid it," he said. "I actually started working on my room, I painted it, I built a bed from scratch.  I’ve been trying to stay distracted because I know if I focus too much I’m going to burn out or lose interest.  Our goal has been to stay away from it and treat it like any other race."

The Olympics are just about to get underway, but Lopez Lomong is not in London yet.

He’s returned to Flagstaff in order to finish his training.

Lopez says Flagstaff is the place that made him a world-class athlete, and he’s bringing some of his US teammates with him.

“It’s like I’m still a student here.  I still run the same trails, they’re still the same distances.  That’s why I’m bringing some of my friends, my teammates, the love of what Flagstaff has to offer to the world.”

A Senate panel voted today to give additional cash to two of the state's three universities. 

The $12 million for Arizona State University and $3.3 million for Northern Arizona University would be on top of whatever cash lawmakers and the governor approve for the schools. Senator Steve Yarbrough said the move is designed to address the fact that, the way the budget has been set for years, has resulted in the University of Arizona getting more state cash per student than the other two schools.