Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Eagle cross country runner earns scholarship to UNM to be a Lobo

Joseph Ryan Garcia signs with Lobos

Jessica Dyer News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jdyer@news-bulletin.com

Belen Joseph Ryan Garcia is ready to take the next step — or, rather, stride — in his running career.

The 2004 Belen High School graduate has decided to attend the University of New Mexico, where he has earned a partial cross country scholarship.

"I'm ready to go with it," said Garcia, who will start college this fall. "I'm pumped."

Garcia will head to UNM after an illustrious high school athletic career with the Eagles. Last fall, he was Belen's best cross country runner as well as one of the top harriers in the state. As a senior, he won the individual District 3-4A title and finished second overall at the Class 4A state championships. He also won the district title and had a top-10 finish at state as a junior.

Garcia's good but said he knows he'll have to get even better to compete with the Lobos.

"It's definitely going to be different from high school, that's for sure," said Garcia, who ran under his father and coach, Joseph Garcia, while at Belen High. "(My times are) going to have to be a lot faster."

Garcia said he considered attending Colorado State University but picked UNM instead for a number of reasons, including coach Matt Henry.

"The coach is a great guy. He's probably one of the nicest coaches I've met," said Garcia. "He said that they want me there, and the (other runners) said they want me. They said I can add to the depth of the team, and I'll be a good addition to the team."

Garcia, who went on a day-long recruiting visit to UNM, said he was also won over by his future teammates.

"The guys on the team are excellent. They're great guys, as athletes and as people. It really captured my attention when I went up there," said the future Lobo. "Everyone is really focused, and they want to get the job done. It really sparked my interest."

Garcia said he will also participate in track at UNM. He finished his high school track and field career earlier this month at the Class 4A state track and field meet, competing in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races. He took sixth place in the 1,600.

A good student as well as an active member of the community, Garcia will be getting additional help with his college expenses as the recipient of the Ford scholarship and the New Mexico Livestock Foundation scholarship.

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