Pojoaque High School cross country coach Alan Lockridge has already earned a trophy and the first competition of the season hasn’t even been held.
Lockridge was voted girls cross country 2008-09 coach of the year by the New Mexico High School Coaches Association. The 22-year veteran has built a Pojoaque program respected throughout the state and in addition to a coach-of-the-year plaque, he received a ring for becoming a fourth-level coach, an honor based on career achievements.
Lockridge displayed the ring at practice Aug. 13. His name was misspelled as Rockridge. As is his way, he was hesitant to praise himself.
“It’s a cumulative thing for what these girls have done for me,” Lockridge said. “It’s something the kids have done and I get the honor.”
Lockridge has guided Pojoaque to three Class AAA girls cross country championships (in 1998, 2000 and 2002) and three boys championships (in 2000, 2002 and 2003) and developed state champions like Jacquelyne Gallegos. Gallegos was Class AAA state champion three times and went on to an outstanding career at the University of New Mexico.
Pojoaque talents Myrriah Gomez and Kathryn Quintana also went on to compete at the collegiate level.
“Kids like that were a big part of me getting something like this,” Lockridge said.
This year Lockridge returns for his 22nd season at Pojoaque; both his girls and boys teams could add some hardware to Pojoaque’s trophy case.
“Both teams, if everything works out, might be going after a trophy,” he said.
After a third-place finish at the 2007 Class AAA state cross country meet, the Pojoaque girls are looking to return and claim another trophy this season.
“Right now, we look solid and are looking for that fifth runner to make us a strong team,” Lockridge said.
Leading the way for the Elkettes will be returning Class AAA state champion junior Sophia Torres. Torres began running for the Elkettes as an eighth grader (see related story, B1).
Joining Torres on the team will be Vanessa Roybal, the team’s only senior, who missed last year’s state meet with pneumonia.
“She’s really put in the time this summer,” Lockridge said. “She’s worked hard to be there.”
Junior Jesenia Varela, who as Jesenia Najera finished third at the Class AAA 2006 cross country meet, battled injuries last season and fell to 29th place at state. She’s seeking a return to her previous form.
“She’s working harder than she ever has,” Lockridge said.
Also returning for Pojoaque is freshman Ariel Castañeda, who as an eighth-grader finished 11th in the state meet and just missed earning all-state honors.
“She wants to run with Sophia,” Lockridge said.
Freshman Jerica Catanach improved her time by over five minutes last season and returns for Pojoaque, along with junior Aandria Quintana and freshman Luvina Lucero.
Patricia Poncho is a transfer from Laguna, for whom she competed at state last season.
Boys Look Strong
The Pojoaque boys took fifth at the 2007 Class AAA state cross country meet and graduated six seniors, but Lockridge has some strong runners returning. One of those is senior Matthew Salazar, who returns to cross country after taking last year off.
“I didn’t want to miss out my senior year,” Salazar said.
Pojoaque’s second-best finisher at state last year, junior James Viarreal, returns and classmate Dominic Martinez has been impressive this summer.
“(Dominic) is really ready and possibly our team leader.” Lockridge said.
Daniel Santistevan was last year’s junior varsity champion at District 2AAA and Jason Martinez has been putting in the miles this summer, according to Lockridge. Filling out varsity will be freshman Sam Roybal, Pojoaque’s fifth runner at state last season, and former football player Alexander Youvella.
Lockridge said Youvella is a strong athlete, but untested.
“Those seven varsity boys are going to be go-getters,” Lockridge said. “They’ll go after anybody.”