Track season off and running with Tiger Invite

Los Lunas

The track and field season is starting to warm up in Valencia County, although Saturday’s Tiger Invitational at Los Lunas High School featured plenty of blankets and winter coats wrapped around competitors, coaches and fans.

Despite the chilly temperature, under a bright blue sky, athletes produced some fine early season results, perhaps anxious to get out on the track to see how they have been progressing.

“Our team is looking strong,” said Joseph Baca, LLHS boys coach about his squad. “Stronger than it’s probably been in past years.”

The results may have proven that, with the Tigers coasting to the team title.

The Tigers have hurdler Angel Aguilar, who has already qualified for state in one of his specialties, the 110 hurdles, an event he won Saturday.

Baca is also counting on Tayson Gaxiola in the 200 and 400 meters, and he believes the 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams “could be really special. They should get to the finals at state.”

The first boys race of the day was the 3200 meters, with Brady Garcia of LLHS pulling away from Christopher Severy of Santa Fe to win.

“I just went out there and had fun,” said Garcia, who had been going stride for stride with Severy, with the rest of the field well back.

“I’ve got to go now,” Garcia thought with about a lap and a half to go.

“I’ve never seen this guy,” Garcia said, unsure of what kind of kick Severy might bring.

For the LLHS girls team, coach Joseph Sandoval is encouraged.

“They have progressed really well,” he said.

Sandoval is optimistic sprinter Adriana Cordova will soon reach a state qualifying time in the 100 meters. It was the first meet as LLHS coach for Sandoval, who said he was “very excited to get the season started and see how it goes.”

Among the 20 schools competing, which Baca believes was the largest field ever at the Invitational, was Valencia in its first meet of the season.

“We’ve only taken about half of our kids to this meet,” said coach LeDarrius Cage, who is waiting for athletes to join the team from other sports, including girls basketball. Cage says Jadyn Montgomery, Naima Corrales and Zayla Leyba will add depth, while several eighth graders will get a taste of varsity competition.

For the VHS boys, Michael Storms III, is expected to challenge for a spot at state in the sprints.

“We’re looking to get that done this year,” said Cage about the senior standout.

Freshman Landon DeSmet should also score points in the sprints.

Aiding the distance events for the Jaguars is home-schooled student Ean Elias, who finished fourth at the 4A State Cross Country Championship.

The first competition for Belen won’t be until March 27 at the Socorro Invitational, but the Eagles will have plenty of participants.

“We’ve been growing year by year, but this year we’re looking at a lot more than we’ve had,” said Jared Schmock, BHS coach.

With that said, BHS lost plenty of talent on the girls squad, with three-quarters of the 4A state champion 4x800 relay team graduating. Genevieve Sanchez returns from the relay team, while Sophia Cox will be back to defend her title in the 400 meters.

Cox said she has been focusing “on my weaknesses. I want to better my block start,” to improve at the beginning of a race. “I’ve been fixing my form for the last three years, just trying to better myself and my time.”

In addition to the 400, Cox is among the state’s best in the 100 and 200 meters as well, finishing state runnerup in both events.

The Eagles did lose Brady Aragon in the sprints along with several key throwers, but, “Most of our boys team from last year is returning,” said Schmock, who will count on Arbin Apodaca, Nehemiah Sanchez, Chalito Cano and Jeremiah Lord in several events, including the relays.

Los Lunas dominated the boys team competition at the Tiger invitational with 185.50 points, followed by Mayfield (51.25) and Moriarty (43.50).

Valencia was ninth (12). LLHS was first in 11 events, including all four relays: 4x100 (44.33), 4x200 (1:34.05), 4x400 (3:35.67) and 4x800 (9:10.48).

Individual champions include Joaquin Trujillo, 100 meters (11.41); Tayson Gaxiola in both the 200 meters (22.93) and 400 meters (51.03); Brady Garcia, 3200 meters (10:25.47); Angel Aguilar, 110 hurdles (15.73); Emiliano Laport, high jump (6-0) and Malaki Maestas, Javelin (150). Valencia’s Elias was first in the 800 meters (2:00.71).

In the girls’ team standings, Santa Fe (96) edged LLHS (87.50) while Moriarty was third (51) and VHS 11th (8).

Valencia’s Marlea Klobuchar was first in the pole vault (8-6). For Los Lunas, champions include Adrianna Cordova, 100 meters (13.26), Ashley Caraveo, 300 hurdles (53.68) and the 4x200 relay team (1:52.26).