Local trio impresses at Sepulveda Meet of Champions

ALBUQUERQUE — It was an impressive, and somewhat frantic, Monday for Belen’s Sophia Cox and Los Lunas teammates Dominique Armijo and Demetrio Pino at the prestigious Marilyn Sepulveda Meet of Champions at the University of New Mexico Track and Field Complex.

The three were among those invited to the meet based on the top eight marks and times this season across all classes in New Mexico.

Cox, the speedy sophomore, qualified in the maximum three events, finishing second in both the 100 and 200 meters, and fifth in the 400 meters.

“I felt really good through the race,” Cox said, as she caught her breath shortly after the 100 meters, her favorite event. “It’s such a technical race.”

Cox was edged at the tape by Albuquerque Academy’s Grace Erinle, 12.47 to 12.50.

Within a little over an hour, Cox would complete her debut in the Sepulveda with excellent efforts in the 200 meters (25.89) and 400 meters (59.47). She believes qualifying in three events shows, “my improvement over the years. I’ve never been at a meet this big, this early in the season.”

Immediately after competing against Cox in the 100 meters, fifth in a time of 13.39, Armijo hustled over to the long jump pit where the event was nearly over.

“I had two run-throughs and that was it,” Armijo, a senior, said. “I didn’t hit my run-throughs at all.”

Under those circumstances, it was no surprise Armijo scratched on her first two jumps. With the pressure on, Armijo had a clean take-off on her third attempt, reaching 16 feet, nine inches, good enough for sixth place.

More importantly, the mark qualified Armijo for the state championship.

“Those girls are going to push you to your best and I’m happy I get to experience this one more time before I graduate,” she said.

Armijo competed at the same time, in side-by-side long jump pits, as fellow-senior Pino. A solid effort of 21 feet, 10 1/2 inches placed Pino fourth, less than an inch from earning a medal.

Earlier in the high jump, Pino was one of only two athletes to clear the opening height of 5-10. However, that was his lone qualifying leap, with Pino finishing seventh against much taller competitors.

“I’ve always been kind of explosive. It comes down to technique” Pino said. “Just being here gives me confidence that I can compete with anyone. It doesn’t matter if they’re a foot taller than me,” Pino added with a smile.

Pino, Armijo and Cox will all be back in their specialties at the state meet, May 16-17, at the same complex.