It was a long day and an early morning for the Escalante Lobos.
The Escalante High School track team left at 5 a.m. for a long drive all the way to Mora, where the bus arrived shortly before 9.
But the Lobos came away victorious on the day, with the boys team taking the win and the girls finishing in second.
“We never even thought we’d be at this point,” said Escalante coach Isaac Royston. “For the longest time, we didn’t think they were even going to let us have sports. We didn’t even think they were going to let us go back to school.”
All athletes battled a high heat throughout the day at the June 11 meet, while keeping their masks on the entire time.
Royston said rather than saving energy by staying in the tents, they left to support the rest of the Lobos.
“They’re rooting for their teammates, which is good, but they’re expending a lot of energy in the heat,” he said.
The Lobo boys team saw success in nearly every type of event. Sophomore Nathaniel Martinez cleaned up in the hurdles, winning easily in the 110 meter and 300 meter races, and was second in the long jump. Freshman Luka Torrez won the 400 meter race at 55.84 seconds, and won in the high jump at 5 feet, 8 inches. And senior Andres Salazar was strong in the throwing events, winning the shot put and finishing second in the discus and placing third in the javelin.
The Lobos also won the 400 meter relays and the 1600 meter relay.
Junior Reina Terrazas was one of the strongest performers on the day for the Lady Lobos, taking first place in the 100 meters and 400 meters, and contributing to a 4×200 meters relay team that beat the favored McCurdy Lady Bobcats and in the victorious 4×400 meters relay. Katelyn Hinds was second in the triple jump, and Hekaila Martinez was third in the javelin throw.
“The kids really tried,” said Royston. He said even those who knew they would qualify and did not necessarily need to improve their time or performance still put in the effort.
All state hopefuls had to qualify with stricter limitations this year. In the past, anyone who passed benchmarks or finished first or second at state would automatically qualify. But for the 2021 season, those do not necessarily hold with just the top 16 for most events qualifying with the next four as alternates.
The Lobos have 27 total qualifiers or alternates for state. The girls will also compete at state in the other relay races, and multiple qualifiers in the 200 meters and potentially the high jump and javelin among other events. Terrazas ranks third in the state in the 400 meters.
For the boys, they also qualified at two relay distances, and Martinez’s time in the 100 meters is No. 19, in addition to their district championship placements.
In the boys overall standings, Escalante won the overall ahead of Mora, with McCurdy Charter School third. For the girls, Questa High School won the overall standings, with Escalante finishing second. Mesa Vista High School was in fifth place ahead of McCurdy.
“It’s been a tough year,” said McCurdy coach Cecilia Brown. “Dealing with COVID, the kids having to run in masks has been a challenge. And the season being later and it being so hot has definitely been a challenge.”
Brown coaches the team alongside her father, Cecil Brown, who is in his 32nd year coaching the team.
The McCurdy Bobcats won the sprint medley relay and 4×200 meters, and senior Andres Martinez won both the 100 meters and 200 meters – with times of 11.94 and 24.04 – as well as the long jump and triple jump. Junior Kodi Rodriguez finished third in the 1600 meters at 6:16.
The Lady Bobcats won the quarter-mile relay at 55.54. Jeneva Serrano won the 800 meter district championship, and Angelica Lovato was third in the shot put.
In the girls high jump, McCurdy’s Allison Cantrell and Heavenly Arellano all passed at 4 feet, 6 inches as well as Mya Vigil from Mora. None of the three made the leap at the next height, but because Vigil passed hers on the first attempt at the lower height, she won the district championship. But the three will have a chance to face off again at states.
“It’s been a challenge, but the kids have been happy to be able to compete,” Cecilia Brown said. “We didn’t get to compete last year. They’re all just happy to be here.”
Cecilia Brown is hoping Martinez can win his events, and that the girls relay teams can win medals.
The McCurdy girls also have qualifiers at the three sprint relays, and two runners at 400 meters will race. The boys will compete in the 4×200 meters, and Isaiah Abeyta is No. 17 in 400 meters.
Jordan Cervantes of Mesa Vista had a strong day, finishing second behind Andres Martinez in the 100 meters and 200 meters. The Trojans were third in the 4×100 meter relay, and Brandon Sandoval was third in the long jump.
“They gave hard work, they’ve been practicing pretty hard,” Trojan coach Anthony Vigil said. “Their effort was wonderful. For the little amount of kids we have, we’re pushing them to do their five events, and they’re handling it. Wherever we put in, they gave us, I feel, 100 percent.”
Lady Trojan senior Alyssa Cervantes was victorious in the long jump and placed second in the 100 meters. Sophomore Amarissa Quintana won the 200 meters at 28.54, and the relay team was second in 4×200 meters.
The Trojans and Lady Trojans will compete in Albuquerque in other sprint relays, and Cervantes and Quintana will run the 100 and 200 meters.
“It’s been rough, with masks and now with this weather it’s even got harder,” Vigil said. “They’re giving their best for what we have.”