Socorro Track And Field Teams Fare Well At The State Meet in Albuquerque

By Nicky Romero

The Socorro Warriors track team finished in fifth place in the 2010 State Track and Field Championships and sophomore David Robinson brought home a state championship in the discus this past weekend in Albuquerque at the UNM Track Stadium.
Socorro competed against 18 other Class 3A teams as Lovington won with 79 points. Socorro finished with 35 points.
Socorro had 17 members of the team compete in the state meet. Besides Robinson’s winning effort, Chuck Findlay was fourth in the 400, James Torton was fifth in the long jump, Moaz Soliman was fifth in the high jump, Sam Hale was fifth in the high jump, Kendal Pyle was fifth in the pole vault and Thorton was sixth in the triple jump.
Coach Lee Cody said, “Our standout athlete was probably sophomore David Robinson. He's the state champion in the discus. The other standout was senior Chuck Findlay. He got fourth in the 400. He has come a long ways.”
The top team results were as follows: 800 relay-2nd (1:33.52 -Jorge Rivas, Avery Ngo, Dylan Gallegos, James Thorton, 4x100 relay-3rd (43.79)-CJ Barela, Avery Ngo, Jorge Rivas, James Thorton.
“Overall as a team, I think we took a step in the right direction,” said Cody. “We improved every week. I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself and on some of these younger kids. Because this time next year, I don't see a reason why we're not in the top three in the state, if everybody comes out and works hard in the off-season.
“The biggest thing this year that pleased me at the end of the meet is that we had all kinds of kids out. First year track kids were real excited and enjoyed the season. I think that's going to carry over to next year.”
Lady Warriors 7th
The Socorro Lady Warriors track team finished in seventh place overall among 21 other Class 3A teams in the 2010 State Track and Field Championships.
Fifteen Lady Warriors qualified to compete in the meet.
Hope Christian finished in first place with 97 points. Second place Robertson had 43 points. Pojoaque took third place with 40 points. Socorro came home with 29.50 points, ahead of district opponents Cobre (16 points) and Hot Springs (15.50).
Coach Dianna Jameson said, “I'm very proud of the girls. We got in the top ten. First time we have done that in a while. We had every relay in and every relay made it to the finals. Overall, they pulled together and did really well.
Dez Armijo was fifth in the long jump, Nikki Engler was fourth in the -triple jump and second in the 100 hurdles, Mileva Gacanich finished fourth in the pole vault, Zoe Howell was third in the 400 and Amanda Saenz was sixth in the 1,600.
Top team finishes were as follows: 4x100 5th place-Kierra Schawer, Dezirae Armijo, Winter Fong, Jaden Jones, 4x200-5th place (1:50.70)-Angelina Stanzione, Dezirae Armijo, Winter Fong, Jaden Jones, medley-6th place (4:37.19)-Angelina Stanzione, Jaden Jones, Victoria Lopez, Amanda Saenz, 4x4-6th place (4:18.73)-Victoria Lopez, Nicole Engler, Dezirae Armijo, Zoe Howell.
“Nikki Engler, our senior, we're gonna miss her because she had three events that she got in the top six, said Jameson. Zoe Howell had her personal best in the 400 meters came out third. Our pole vaulter, Mileva Gacanich, who just came out this year and started, came out fourth.”

Socorro Track And Field Teams Fare Well At The State Meet in Albuquerque