Socorro cross country team makes its debut in Alamogordo
Runners ready for their second meet in Belen
Socorro's new cross country team opened their season with a meet on Saturday, Sept. 6.
"It was really tough competition," said runner Tim Abeyta. "It was mostly 5A schools. We were the smallest one there. I think we all ran our personal best, but we're going to have to do better at the next meet."
"It was a pretty intense meet. We kind of new what was going on, but it was our first one," said Nikki Mortensen.
Mortensen finished 15th individually in a field of about 60 girls in the open division — Socorro's best finisher.
"I think she's a lot faster than she gives herself credit for," coach Steve Montoya said of Mortensen.
"I think we had an excellent first race. I think the kids were nervous not knowing what to expect, but I think they all had a lot of fun. Everyone commented that practices were harder than the races," Montoya said. "What I was really proud of was how our kids supported each other and even the kids from other teams."
Practices may be getting even harder, though, as the team moves from being beginning runners to being competitive.
"Our mileage isn't half what the competitive schools are running," Montoya said.
Socorro runners were logging about 30 miles a week, compared to 60 miles the more competitive schools log.
Socorro runs in its second meet today (Saturday) in Belen.
It has enough boys for a full boys team and a few girls that will compete individually, including Ellen Aster, a competitive runner who will make her season debut in Belen.
Coach Montoya is a socorro native and an experienced triathlete who returned to Socorro two years ago and currently teaches at Sarracino Middle School.
1 comment:
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