Pojoaque distance runner John Hall went toe-to-toe with some of the best competition across the country at the 43rd Annual Great Southwest Track and Field Classic, May 31-June 2, at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Just three weeks after finishing fourth in the boys 4A 3200-meter run at the 4A-6A state championships, Hall returned to the same venue, but this time had to deal with the challenge of running the 2,000-meter steeplechase on June 1.
The event featured 18 obstacles and five water jumps for athletes to maneuver.
It was Hall’s first time running the event — and he finished in 10th place with a time of 7:24.60, but he was just happy to have been on the same stage as the best athletes from across the United States.
“It was a rough event for me,” Hall said. “Those guys blew me out of the water. They were nationally ranked and I’m sure they wouldn’t be coming all the way down here from places like Illinois if they weren’t any good.”
In comparison to Hall’s finish, the first-place time in the steeplechase was over a minute faster at, 6:17.26, by Zac Witman from Loveland High School in Loveland, Colo.
“I had never ran the event and just wanted to experience it,” Hall said. “It was more of a humbling experience than anything. Just to know that there’s kids out there who are a lot better than me, it’s motivating and gives me an idea of how I need to adjust my training heading into my senior year.”
Hall has been working with his personal coach, Scott Valdez, since December 2017, who has not only upped the intensity, but has offered him a new perspective on training.
“What I try to introduce to these kids is cross training, cycling or swimming to remain aerobically functional,” Valdez said. “When they get injured, this gives them a cost-effective plan to have in place.”
Valdez doesn’t view himself as a coach, rather just another friend to run and train with. He currently works with athletes from Pojoaque, Española Valley High School and McCurdy Charter School.
“I just happen to be out there and run with them,” he said. “They all have their high school coaches for cross country and track, I just try to help keep them active in the winter and summer.”
When Valdez began working with Hall, he was impressed with some of the times he was clocking. He decided to try to get Hall into the Great Southwest, but in the steeplechase to see how his body would react.
Valdez thought the experience was just another step in the right direction before Hall goes into his senior cross country and track seasons.
“There’s no doubt he’s going to be posting some fast times next year,” Valdez said. “Watch out.”
Mesa Vista High School senior-to-be, Abrianna Griego, also competed in the girls 400 and 200-meter dashes, but like Hall, she finished on the lower end of the results.
Griego placed 40th out of 45 runners in the 400 and 68th out of 69 in the 200.
The New Mexico Boys team finished 10th overall, and were highlighted by Hobbs High School’s Jackson Kinney, who won the long jump with a mark of 6-9.75 inches. He was the only New Mexico athlete to place first in an event.
San Diego State University football commit, Jordan Byrd, from Manzano High School placed third in the Elite division of the boys 100. His time of 10.5 seconds matched the time he ran to win the state title on May 12.
The girls team finished sixth, with 22 of the team’s 49.5 points coming from the javelin throw.
Hannah Sayyeau, Piedra Vista; Bailey Beene, Goddard; Mariah Humphrey, Silver; Mariah Kinney, Centennial and Kamryn Bohlken from La Cueva all finished inside the top 10.
Sayyeau, who placed second, will continue her track and field career next year at New Mexico Highlands University.