Small-school track meet begins today

ALBUQUERQUE — For several area athletes, this weekend is an opportunity for dreams to come true, after all the hard work they’ve put in over the past year, and then some. Schools like Dora, Elida, Floyd, Melrose and Texico will all be competing in today and Saturday's NMAA Track Championships in Albuquerque, as they’re hoping to bring home at least a few champions to the eastern plains.

In Elida, coach Jarred Hestand is trying to make history, as the Tigers boys team has never won a state track title. Hestand led Hagerman to a boys title back in 2009, and he believes he may very well have the athletes it takes to win titles with Elida this weekend in the 1A boys meet.

“We’re pretty young this year, we have one senior in Kaull Burton,” Hestand explained. “We have several sophomores and juniors. (But) Will Haley will have a chance to win the open 800, and our medley relay team of Colton Ferguson, Wesley Poling, Haley and Burton should all be able to compete.”

Poling (pole vault), Emmit Falcon (3,200) and the 400, 800 and mile relay teams also have a shot on the boys side. However, perhaps the best candidate to bring home a title for Elida is Alyssa Bargas. Bargas, along with Maislyn Ferguson, will be the only two girls representing Elida at this year’s championships.

Bargas recently won the District 4-1A title in the 3,200 run and the mile run, along with a second place in the 400.

“The thing about Alyssa is that she doesn’t like to lose,” Hestand said. “She works really hard and it seems to help her. Her competitive attitude is above the rest.”

Elsewhere, Texico is sending 16 athletes to the 3A meets — eight boys, eight girls — and Dora is sending two girls. Floyd, on the other hand, will be represented by a single athlete — Brycie Payne. Payne, a freshman, will compete in the 1,600, where she’ll go up against the aforementioned Bargas.

However, according to Broncos track coach Steve Foust, Payne narrowly lost out to Bargas at the district championships in a virtual photo finish. “I’m very proud of her,” Foust said. “She’s worked very hard and she’s learning how to run the races. In the 800 and 1600, she’s learning how to close them out.”

Perhaps the best odds of bringing home a local title is Melrose, who not only has the talent, but also has the depth. The Buffaloes are sending 14 girls and 10 boys to Albuquerque, as they try to defend their 1A boys and girls overall team titles.

Amongst the heavy hitters on the girls side is Nataley Mondragon (defending champ in the 100, 200 and long jump), Landry Widner (relay teams), Lakasey Mondragon (pole vault) and Hailey Martin (triple jump). As for the boys, Devon Bailey (hurdles and relays), Tristan Sena (400) and Sterling Sena (high jump, long jump and 200) will all be in the mix.

Overall, Melrose coach Casey Jackson feels confident that just about any one of his athletes has a shot to make some noise over the next couple of days, and based on recent history, you certainly can’t blame him.

Nonetheless, Jackson and company aren’t taking another shot at winning state lightly.

“It’s definitely what we’re hoping for, and it would be a great achievement for the school and the kids,” Jackson explained. “Track is so hard and these kids sacrifice so much. They push their bodies daily, and they push themselves. Whatever happens (this weekend), I’m super proud of them.”